
SHAMUS O'BRIEN. 

Drama in Pour Acts, 



'■-^fe»?' ,'~ " 



'^M/ 







SHAMUS O'BRIEN 

Di'.'unu ill Four Acts. 



OAST OV CHARACTERS. 

Sliamus O'Brien Star 

Leslie McMurroiigb Juvenile Heavy Lead 

Sliadrick O'Fiun Heavy Irish Character 

Sir Reginald Dare English Light Comedy 

Colonel Claverly Old Man 

Father Malone Old Man 

Judge Old Man 

Larry Low Comedy 

Williams Cockney Character 

Marry Donoughniore Juvenile Lead 

Kate O'Rielly Soubrette or Light Comedy 

Mrs. O'Brien Old Woman 

Peasants, Soldiers, Etc. Time of plav and costumes, vear 
1798, 

The part of Shamus can be played without singing. 



Property of Katheriue Walsh. 



SHAMUS O'BRIEN. 

BY KATHERINE WALSH. 



ACT FIRST. 



luterior room. (\ \\iiidow to open runiiiiig to ground. 
Box Set. Doors R. 3. E. and L. 3. E. Fireplace. R. 2. E. 
Garden landscape backing-. Balcony railing outside windoAv 
C to close or open. Piano to play. L. 2. E. Car^iet down. 
Best furniture. 2 tables L and R. Cliairs and tables. Red 
light for fire. Covers and books on tables. Guitar to play 
on table L. Chandelier on table R. Fan with long ribbon 
on table L., also shoiilder scarf for ^^dary. Duster for Larry. 
Sword on table R. Fender with fire irons. Fire. Rugs. 
Pictures. Easel with pictiu'o, vtv. Four letters for Larry. 
Two green seal documents for Shamus. Fire bell off R. 
to ring. Glass with drinking water for Mary. R. 3. Gun for 
O'l'inn. Music lively for rise. 

St. Patrick's Day in the Morning. 

LARRY^ — (Discovered at rise. Dusting and singing.) 
Dust, dust everywhere dust. I wonder where it all comes 
from. },[aybe from the graveyard beyant. They say when 
we die we turn into dust, that's because we can't get any- 
think to drink after we kick the bucket. There's one fellow^ 
I knoAv that will go after he dies where there will not be 
much \rv water and that's Sliadrick O'Finn. Bad cess to 
him. (takes up sword.) Musha that's a fine accutrement 
to have at a figlit. That belongs to the Captain. If I 'la 1 
that at a fight in a Fair I'd show them the way to give the 
first cut, the second cut, tlie upper cut and the under cut, 
and a jab in the middle. (Enter Mary C. stands at back. 
Larry flourishes the sword suiting the action to the word 
and sings.) Oh, there is not a trade that's going worth 
knowing or showing like that from glory going, says a bold 
soldier boy. (Flourishes the sword again.) Hurroo and 
Faugh a Ballaugh. 

St. Patrick's Day for Mary's entrance. 



MARY — Larry Mahoney, what are you doing? flaking 
a fool of yourself again, eh? 

LARRY — (Aside, confused and placing sword on table 
11.) Be the powers of old Kellcv, it is the ndstress, (Aloud.) 
Yes, Miss Donnoughmore, niani. Sure making a fool of my- 
self conies natural. My mother says my father was a born 
fool, so it's bred in my bones, I think, (Coach horn heard 
off R. Mary at >\ indow looks off I\.) 

MARY — Tlu' mail car has arriyed at last, go and see if 
there is any letter;^. 'Die mail is late. 

LARRY — Letters, mnm. Yes, mam. The car is late 
mam. I'll get the letters mam. (Exit K. 3. yery awkward.) 

^lARY — (At windoAy.) Here comes my cousin, Captain 
Leslie McMurrough. How time and circumstances and sur- 
roundings alter people. Years ago he left Ireland an en- 
thusiastic young Irish boy, now he returns to his uatiye land 
an orphan, a stranger and an l']iiglish s(ddier. He loyes me 
moi'e tlian in a consinly wny, 1 tliink. I wonder would lie do 
so did he know my secret. Did lie know of Shamus O'Brien, 
the outlaw as they call him. Outlaw lie may be but to me 
he is the king of my heart. (Kecites as she comes down L.) 
For the boldest and bravest boy of them all is Khamus 
O'Brien of the town of (Jlengall. 

LARKY — (Kilter K. E. with four letters sealed on tray 
and newspaper in cover.) Here's the letters mam, and a news- 
pa p<^r with news in it not more than a week old. I asked 
the niai] car m;ni what made liiiii s(» Inle. Begorra, says 
he, I might have been later, says he, if I liadu't come at all, 
ways he. Sure the car was stopped, says he, with all the 
l>asengers. he said, by a lot of highway robbers, says he, but 
sure the b'tters are all Iieic al last, ami the saints preserve 
ns from all harm, says he. 

MARY — (Looking over letters.) Any for me? No; all 
for Capt. McMurrough. Well, I'll look at the newspaper. 
Any news I wonder. (Sits on table L. Opens paper.) 

LARRY — (Putting letters on table R.) Lashings of 
news that's not in the papers. Sure Mrs. Madigan is mad 
again. Her French hen has hatched out Irish ducks for 
Ciiickens and is out of her mind at the horse pond over 

— 2 — 



their SAvimming tricks. The hen, main, not the woman. 
Phelini O'Shaiig^hnesscn-'s prize pig has caught tlie nieaseh-; 
from one of the children and is d^'ing of spazinadiut con- 
vulsions and last night our three legged mule broke into 
the garden and ate all the heads off them beautiful 
heilotropes of yours, mam. And what do you think? but 
Biddv Mulligan's squint eyed daughter yesterday took a 
liussyteryrical fit and kicked a. i>ot of boiling pea soup off 
the fire and scalded all the whiskers off the old tom cat and, 
and — — 

:MARY—( Laughing.) That will do, Larry, that's 
enough. 

LARKY— (Going R ,'>, E.j Yis, mam, it ought to do, its 
enough flisterfications for one day, I'm thinking. (Exit B, 
8, E.) 

MARY — What's this? Cap. Iveslie ]McMurough and a 
detachment of men are on active service in Galway. That's 
why he is my visitor lately and what's this? (Reads.) The 
government offers a reward of one hundred pounds for in- 
fornmtion that will lead to the suppression of the Irish 
rising and the capture of Sha.mus O'Rrieu, a supposed leader 
among them. But the government shall not have him even 
if they offer a thousand pounds reward, not even if I have 
to sell Donoughmore Hall brick by brick to protect him. 

LESLIE — (Enters C. At window during last of speech.) 
Pardon my intrusion, my dear cousin, but I heard the mail 
car had arrived and that there were letters for me. (At C. 
Back.) 

MARY — Yes, Cap. No intrusion. Come in, there are 
letters for you there. (Motions to table R.) 

LESSLIE — (Goes to table R.) May I read them here? 
(Mary bows.) Leslie sits at table and opens letters.) Ex- 
cuse me, (Reads.) I am en tour and intend to pay Galway 
a visit, I will avail myself of the opportunity to call at 
Donoughmore Hall. I will be there on the 10th. Wby, that's 
today. (To Mary.) Ah, this interests you. 

MxlRY— Indeed what is it? Who is it from? 

LESLIE — Sir Reginald Dare, he was over in Ireland 

—3— 



two or there yeiirs ago. Yon !iave met him. In fact, he is 
eoming liere to call today. 

MARY — Sir IJeginald Dare, I think I remember a ^fr. 
Dare here about two years ago. He met with an accident 
in the hunting field, but he was a young barrister or laAvyer 
or something, 

LESLIE — Y<'s, it's tlie same man. 

MARY — Is he a Karonet now? 

LESLIE — Yes, lie became unexpectedly h-ir to some dis- 
tant kinsman witli a title, and the once briefless youug bar- 
rister ceased struggling ffvc bread and briefs and became a 
Baronet and a man of fashion. 

MARY' — Sir Reginald Dare, l^.aronet, it sounds well 
doesn't it? H()^^• would yt>n like a title. Just fancy. Sir 
Leslie McMurrough, K. C. P>. and X. Y. Z., etc. Ha hadia, 
commander of tlie blackguards A\ho ])ut the enemy to flight 
at the battle of Imllabaloo in the hills r.f Doucgall. 

LEiSILE — Sounds ijuite well, ha-ha, but remember I am 
a soldier and if I am lucky I may fight my way to a title yet 
f<u' someone's sake. ( Looks meaningly at Mary. 

MARY — I hope so, Leslie, for someone's sake, who ever 
that some one may be. Rut about Sir Reginald Dare? 

LESLIE — This Dare is a cousin of the present Yiceroy of 
Ireland, Lord Cornwallis. the head of the army, and is some- 
wliat of a fop. 

MARY — 1 know a lady \\ho thought liiiu ;i genuine gen- 
tk'iiian when he v.as plain Mr. Dare. I mean Kathleen 
O'Rielly, my friend. 

LESLIE- — My dear cousin, you ladies are^ often mistaken 
in men. 

MARY' — So some of the married ones say. Ha-ha — 

LESLIE — That's a joke 1 presunu^? 

MARY— It's a jocular fact, a serious joke as it were. 

LESLIE — (Reads another letter.) An' here's something 
that interests me. (Rea<ls.) Headquarters, Dublin, Cap. Les- 
lie McMurough, Dear Sir. Your promotion is held out by the 
(reneral commanding if yon succeed in -quelling the rebel- 
lion in the Glengall district and in taking prisoner one 

~4— 



Shaiiiiijs O'Rrieii. Signed Col. Claverly, King's Own Regi- 
ment, Portobello F.tu'i'ieks, Dnblin. Rv jove, a step towards 
that title, Cousin Mary. I'll do this and try and win ray 
golden spurs. ( liises. 

MARY — (Alarmed. I Yon will do this? You will cap- 
ture Sliamus O'Brien? 

LESLIE— I most assuredly shall, if I can find him, but 
I don't even know what he looks like. Perhaps you can tell 
nie? 

MARY — (Music. I Have yon forgotten about the man 
who saved my life? 

LESLIE— Is tliat the same man? Ah, yes, I remember 
dimly the circumstances. Some one at very little risk saved 
you from something — ah, drowning — wasn't it? However, 
I supposed he received thanks enough at the time. I was 
away in England you know. 

MARY — At little risk I ^Vhy, a gale was blowing at 
the time, he sv>"am a long distance to the upturned boat to 
which I clung, the boatsman was drowned in the mad water. 
Little risk? No other man would liave accomplished it. 'Twas 
a. great risk, the risk of his life, and I was a stranger to 
him. What thanks can repay that debt? Cousin, have 
you no gratitude? (Music stops.) 

LESLIE — ^ly dear cousin, it was your life he saved, 
not mine, and as for human gratitude, there's no such thing. 

MARY — Well, I've prayed for his welfare many times 
since, nothing can ever blot his noble action from my mem- 
ory; no sacrifice I would not nuike in honor, to repay that 
debt. If that is not gratitude what is it? 

LESLIE — 3Ierely your wonmnly goodness, or weakness. 
He is as far beneatii you socially as the soil is beneath the 
rose it seems so n<'ar. You surely cannot regard this fellow 
as an equal, with all your gratitude? 

MARY — He is poor, I know, but he is of the O'Brien 
blood who ages ago were lords of the soil. Riches may fly, 
but we know that blood flows on even when what's called 
high breeding and fine manners may disappear. 

LESLIE — Pshaw, it's not wliat we were, but what we 
are that counts always. He is a mere peasant now I be- 

—5— 



lieve. llowcner nm^-v your seiitiineuts are so stroug, 1 will 
give vou an opportunity to show your gratitude to him and 
if you accept the contlitions I shall never pursue him, nay 
more, I shall give him the opportunity and find him the 
money to escape from this country. 

31 AT\Y — Name vour conditions and if I can I will com- 
ply. 

LESLIE — (Approaches her.) Become my wife. 

MAlvY — (X. to K.) Your wife, impossible, I do not love 
you as a woman should love the man she's going to maiTy. 
Would you marry a woman who does not care for you as 
her husband? 

LESLIE^ — Not any woman, but you I'd marry even 
tliough you hated mo. 

MARY — Leslie McMurrougli. you know not what you 
ask. 

LESLIE — 1 do, Eve loved since my ])oyho()d, and during 
all my years of coUege life in England my <jne desire and 
hope was that I might Ix'conic wortliy of you. Your every 
wish is sacred bsw to mc. 1 swear it. 

.MARY— You left Ireland a boy. You come back a man, 
apparently ind)ued witii feelings against your owu 
countrymen. That places a barrier betw'een us. You forget 
I am for tliis country right or wrong. I am your cousin and 
helves:-; of Donouglniunv, but best of all I am and shall always 
remain a true Irish woman. 

LESLIE— (II. (\)— Then you refuse my offer? 

3! AKY^ — I do. 1 must decline the honor you have offered 
me, but still we ran be friends, surely? We are cousins and 
should be friends. (Offers hand.) 

LESLIE^ — (Takes hand coldly.) Relatives and friends, 
yes; but you must not blame if I pursue my course against 
these rebellions peo]>le and against Shamus O'Brien. 

LARRY— (Enter R, E, with letter.) Mr. Leslie, Cap. 
Sir, if ye plaze, a gassoon brought this letter from Shadrick 
O'Einn. It's addressed to Cap. Leslie McMurrough, Esq, 
\A'h('n I asked the Oassoon what Ewq. was he said it stood for 
Squirrel, musha would you look at the long tail on the squir- 
rel. (Looks at letter upside down.) 

—6— 



LESLIE— (iive it to me. 

LARRY — ((Hvos letter and looks over Leslie's shoulder, 
aside.) I wonder wliat he can have to do with that O'Finn. 

LESLIE — (Sees liim.) Vou eau ^o. 

LARIiY— (lUickiQg- towards door R. 3.) I can sir, yis. 
Lui always on the .«i'o. (Bniiips into side of D.) I beg yonr 
pardon. (Pause.) 

LESLIE — Ai'e von not sou<? J^t? 

LARRY— (Exits (puck, pops his hea<l in door.) I am sir. 
Tin out of sight. 

LESLIE — That fellow is mad oi- impertinent. 

MAIJY — Larrv is a privileged servant, born and raised 
!.! ()!ir family, don't mind him, he's frolickscmie like a yonng 
(•(Mi. lie is most faithful and always good tempered. 

LESLIE— (Reads letter at table R.) From O'Finn. My 
lift' is threatened. I've learned of a, plot of the rebels to 
burn my house.- I'm in mortal fear of my life. I demand 
the protection of the government for my services to them. 
(Speaks.) Well, they may hang, burn, or do what they like 
with yon, O'Finn, for all the army cares. 

LARRY — (Enters and stands at R. C. back. The hon- 
orable Mistress Kathleen O'Rielly, daughter of Patrick 
O'Rielly of O'Rielly Hall of O'Rielly Town. 

KATE — (Enter R. 3., conies down 0. Larry exits.) The 
t()[) (»r the morning and the middle of the evening to all 
here. Mary, how are you. (Kisses her.) Cap. McMur- 
I'ough, 1 siilvite you. (Does so military style.) I'm uncom- 
])!mily glad to visit you both. I just rode over to see how you 
were. ( Aside t(» Mary.) I saw while on my way, a certain 
party get off the nuiil car. I heard he was enquiring his 
way here, so I thought I'd hurry over. How do I look? Is 
my liat on straiglii ? A ml i)r('sentable. Cap. you see I'm 
all excited \\ith my — my — ride, excuse we, won't you? (Goes 
to window C. and looks off R.) 

LESLIE^ — Excuse you, with pleasure. No, I mean cer- 
tainly, Miss O'Rielly. (Aside.) I wonder what brought her 
here so unexi>ectedly. Can she have heard the Englishman 
is coming? Very likely. (Turns R.) 

KATE — Do you know who is coming up the avenue? 

—7— 



Vrhy, Mr. Dare, from England. I saw liim but lie failed to 
recognize me. Don't remember the hunt two or three years 
ago? He met with an accident, he broke his leg that day. 

MAKY — (Aside to Kate.) And your heart, it got a 
l.]'(';ik about tliat i^ame time, Kate. 

KATE— ('racked (slightly but not broken, :\Iary. ^Yh\, 
1 only knew him slightly, you know. 

LESLIE — Pardon me; I think I'll go and receive the 
visitor. 

MA.KY — ^Vill you? Tlsank you, Leslie, so much. Please 
play the host and I'll ])e so much obliged. (Exit Leslie K. 3.) 

KATE — (Al window C.) That's him. Here he comes; 
!:e looks too fine for everyday vrear. He's a regular Sun- 
day sort of man. A kind of male angel in knee breeches. 

ilAivY — Don't get excited. Come away from that win- 
Ciow, he may see you. 

KATE^^ — (Kate sings snatches of love song, Mary pulls 
luT from windov; down ('.) Oh, by the way, wait till I tell 
you 1 was over by the liookery gathering wild flowers this 
inorniiig when wljat sliould 1 liear but some one crying whist- 
wiiist. I can't play it but I'm a darlin' at forty-five. I heard 
a laugh and a brcMiking of branches and twdgs. I looked 
around and who stood befiu'e rae, do you think? 

MAllY—A Banshe— 

KATE— NO, but a Han-he. 'Twas himself. The bold 
boy of Gleugall, Shanuis O'Brien. 

MAIvY — 8hamus, well — A\ell — go on — tell me more; 
what did he say — what did he do, how did he look? NYhere 
was he going? 

KATE — Now you're getting excited. Easy now — easy — 
till I tell you. Well, the Banshe, or he, looked smiling and 
big, and he gave me a squeeze of the hand that burst my 
glove, and a message for his mother and something for 
you that I couldn't carry in my pocket, but I brought it in 
my mouth . 

MARY— TSTuit was it, a letter? 
KATE — Worse than that ; guess again. 
]MAHY — A message, eh? You tease. 



KATE — Now, you're giies^injj;-. Shut your eyes and try 
and look innocent and ITl give it to you. (:^Iary does so.) 
It's only that, my dear. (Kisses her.) 

M AKY — Did he really send me that? 

KATE — Troth lie did, and liis breath was iik(^ new uiilk, 
dear. Couldn't you tell it was his kiss by the flavor? How 
could I give his kiss if he hadn't given it to me? If you're 
jealous ITl kee}) it for myself next time. Well, says he, tell 
Mary ITl be with her this day sure. Just t]ien a dog barked 
close by. Good bye, my fairy messenger, says he, and off 
he flew like the hunted Fox of T^allybotheruin . 

LESLIE — (Heard speaking outside R. 3.) This way, Sir 
j^eginald Dare. 

KATE- — Oh, there they come. Oh, my poor heart. (Bus 
Ad lib.) x^^%ich side is it on. I vronder will he know me? 
Let's he doing something. (Goes to piano.) Wbere's the 
music, Where's my ^ oice. ( Scatters music.) I think I'll be 
singing something. 

MARY — Don't get exciteil, Kate. Be on your best be- 
havior, please. 

KATE — I'll be quiet as a dumb waiter. Will I sing 
something? 

MARY — (Sits L. at table.) Yes, sing something, any- 
thing. 

KATE — Here goes. ( Sings one verse of love song, dur- 
ing song Sir Reginald enters followed by Leslie. They stand 
at back listening. Dare coughs three or four times. Kate 
starts and rises from Piano as if surprised. Mary also rises.) 

LESLIE — Ladies, permit me to- introduce Sir Reginald 
Dare. Dare bows to both.) Sir Reginald Dare, this is my 
cousin. (Dare looks at Kate, mistaking her for Mary, she 
smiles. He takes her hand and is about to kiss it.) 

DARE — Charmed to meet you again. I've had the honor 
of meeting you before, I'm sure. 

KATE — Ahem. (Stops him.) That lady is his cousin. 
(He is about to drop her hand, but she shoves it in his 
face.) Oh, fire away. You'll be introduced to me presently. 

LESLIE — This is ;Miss O'Rielly, my cousin's friend, and 



a ueighbov, as clianuing as Flora aud a breaker of hearts by 
tlie score. So beware (^f her. Dare. 

DARE — I hope 1 niav be periuitted to add another to 
t;ie lisi, I'm sure. All, I heard you siu^inj^ just now that 
Nonr heart was over the S(-a. I should like, I'm sure Miss 
()'l\ielly, to be eonuiiissione;! to <•(> over the sea aud find it for 
you, Miss O'Kielly . 

KATE — I'm afraid youM have your journey for nothing", 
Sir IJegiuald. 

LEvSLlE — (To Mary.) This is niy cousin. Miss Donough- 
inore. 

DAlvE — (l>ows very low.) No mistake this time. Miss 
Donoiighniore, I rein(Mnber. 

MAlvY — (Hows low.) You arc welcome to Donough- 
more, Sir Keginald. 

DAK'E— (L. r.) Thank ycm extremely. Delighted, I'm 
suie, to have the honor. ( Looks at Mary, then aside.) Ex- 
tremely interesting these Irish ladies, and by St. (xeorge, the 
O'Kielly has captured me already. Plenty of go in her I'll 
bet a moidvey. 

LAIUIV— (Enter 11. 8., X. to C, at back. If ye plaze, 
Mistress Mary, r>e conu^ to tell you that Cap. McMurrough's 
dog, the (lernian tarrier, has run away with the goose that 
was roasling at the fire, giblets aud all. 

KATE — I adnure that pui)'s a])petite, ha-ha. (Goes to 
Dare aud talks.) 

LESLIE — I low dare you come here with such nonsense? 

LAlvRY — No nonsense, sir, it's the truth, aud 1 thought 
you might come and get it away from him, what's left of it. 
He'd share it wid you but he'd bite any one else. 

MAliV — Never mind, Larry, I'll go to the cook and we 
sliall have another, lilxcuse me f(U* a nuunent. Conu^ Larry. 
(Exit.) 

LuVlvRY — Yis, mam, but we're out of young geese. 
Wouldn't it do to cook the ould gander for a change? 

LESLIE— Oh, get out. 

LARKY— Yis, sir, but \\ ill I shoot the dog? 

LESLIE— If you do I'll shoot you. 

— I o — 



LARRY— Och murdlier. (Runs off R. 3.) 
LESLIE— Have you had a pleasant trip tlirough Ire- 
land, Dare? 

DARE— With the exception of the highway gentleman 
who stopped us occasionally my trip has been delightful. I 
never saw such a place as Ireland. I like it better every 
time I come to it. At this time of year it is a, perfert gem. 

KATE— An Emerald, they call it. 

DARE— Yes, a perfect Emerald, that rarest of perfect 
gems. With plenty of ruins and romance, and rivers and 
that sort of thing, dont ye know. 

KATE — Ruins! Yes, lots of them, thanks to our enemy, 
don't ye know. 

DARE — Enemy? Oh, Ah, I see! Very good Miss 
O'Rielly. 

LESLIE — She had you tliere. 

DARE — (To Leslie.) By Jove, she had me there. Sh^ 
could have me forever if she liked. (To Kate.) Do you 
know, I like excitement, ccmsequently Ireland and Irish men, 
who are some of the brightest and bravest fellows alive, and 
Irish women, too, are almost always good fellows. You see 
^Nliss O'Rielly, I am a friendly kind of enemy. 

KATE — Friendly? Then give me your hand. You're 
the kind of enemy I like. (Holds out hand. Dare takes it.) 

DARE — Love your enemies, some great one somewhere 
says. 'Tis a sweet injunction and I shall try to follow it 
witli your permission. ( Rows.) 

^lARY — (Enter 3.) You must stay to dinner, Sir Regin- 
ald. This time we'll eat the goose ourselves. I hope you 
have been well since I saw you last at the hunt. You re- 
mend)er the only time we met. Allow me to congratulate you 
on your change of appelation, your accession if I may so 
express it. 

DARE — Oh, yes. By St. (Jeorge, I'm a Baronet now, and 
my wife, — 

KATE — ((^uick, coming down L.) Wife, wife, did you 
say wife? 

DARE — Yes, I was going to say my wife in a joke. 



II — 



KATE — Have you ^ot a wife in a joke? 

DAKE — Oh lio, tluit would be no joke. 1 was merely, 
•ioiniito say my wife, if 1 had one. would be as yon say in 
Ireland, a rale lady. 

KATE — If you were married I'd never speak to you 
ajiain. 

DARE — 1 Isope when 1 am married youTl not grow 
duud), biu alw;iys speak to nu\ ( Fire bells ring loudly off R.) 
What is that bell for? 

K.VTE — i(5oinii lo window (M Oh, it's not the dinner 
bell, it's a fire b.'ll. Tiu^re must be a house on fire. Some- 
luxly else's goose is being cooked today. 

LEv^LIE — ((loing up i\) Some of those rel>el houses 
burning trieks. I suppose. Oh, it's common enough here, sir. 

DAKE — (To Mary down C.) Things are pretty lively 
here in Ii-elaud jnst now, and I'm luckily on hand to see 

-MAIiV — If it's a fire yon could get a fine view of it 
fi'om the tower. 

LAKKV — (Shouts heard off l\. U. E. Larry runs on 
excited K. I'.l Sure, if ye plaze, mam, the boys have set fire 
to Shadrick O'Finu's house, the miserable vagabond. Hurro, 
liuiro, hurro. (Exit L. 2. E.) 

KATE — They're giving O'Fiuu a house warming that's 
all. Hurro. 

MARY — Sir Keginald. you're just in time for a sensa- 
tion. 

DAKE — A sensation, delightful. I've had one already, 
'i'he mail car I came on was attacked and stopped by masked 
men. 1 might have been badly treated but for the timely 
arrival of a m.an 1 shall never forget, a man whom they 
seenuHl to respect and fear. His name, the car man said, wa? 
Shamus O'Brien. 

.MARY— (Starts.) Shamus O'Brien ! I— I— 

DARf] — Yes, you know him perhaps? 

LESILE — (At back.) Let's go uj) and view the fire from 
the lookout on the tower, Sir Reginald. Ladies, will you 
i-ome? ( Exit R. S.) 

— 12 — 



DARE — (Goes R. C.) Of course, with pleasure. >riss 
O'Kiellj will vou come too? Where is she? 

KATE — (Kate, who has been concealed behind cur- 
tains, comes out and grabs his arm R.) Come along with me, 
mj English hero, and Fllshow you Ireland on fire. (Rushes 
him off R. 3.) 

LARRY — (RuFiS on L. 1. Coat off, carrying it.) Miss 
Mary, Miss 3iary, 1 hope they'll burn Shadrick O'Finn to a 
cinder, and down with all informers. Hurro — (Exit R.) 

MARY— (Shouts off R. U.) C'Finn's house on fire, the 
house of that miserable informer, miser, and spy, who is 
secretly Shamus O'Brien's bitterest enemy, the man he has 
most cause to drer.d. (^lusic, O'Finn in rags rushes on 
through curtains (\ and falls on stage, drops gun, shouts 
heard outside.) 

O'FINN — Save me, for God's sake, save me! 

MARY— (Fp L. 0.) As I live, 'tis O'Finn. O'Finn how 
dare you come here? 

OFINN — As you hope for salvation hide me. They've 
burned down my house. They've tore me to ribbons. I 
jumped the wall and got away wid me life. Oh, Miss Mary', 
have mercy on me; shelter me for God's sake. (Cringes.) 

MARY — \\'retclie{l man, you can not hide here. Yoii 
must go. 

O'FINN — If you turn me out they'll kill me. Sure, mam- 
Fm not fit to die. Let me stay only till the crowd passes by. 

.MARY — 'Tis a just retribution you have brought upon 
yourself. 

O'FINN — (Goes to window C, shouts outside.) Look 
there. Somebody's coming to kill me. Have mercy. Let me 
hide in here. (Goes to R. 3.) 

MARY — No, no, no! Not that way. 

O'FINN — Put out the liglits. (Turns down lamp, lights 
down.) Draw the curtains, bar the window. 

MARY — Barred in here with you, sir? No! 

O'FINN — Are ye a woman? Have ye a heart? Ye 
wouldn't surely betray a wretched fellow creature in dis- 
tress and fear of his life. 

--I3— 



MARY — O'l'iiiu, I've iniieli against you. You are the 
bitterest eueuij of this country and every man in it. You are 
a. coY\'ard, an informer, but in this ease to prevent outrage 
and perhaps murder I'll act as my humanity prompts. Y^ou 
are beneath an Irish roof, and you've asked protection of an 
Irish woman. Co in there. (Points L. 3.) 

U'FINN — ('loing, kisses her gown, cringing. Leaves 
gun on floor nc^ar window.) (lod save ye ever, mam. I'll 
never forget you. (Exit L. 3.) 

MAKY — (^^huts and closes door.) This miserable 
scoundrel must not remain here long. (At window.) What 
shj'Jl I do. ril call ^<arry, the servant, he is friendly with 
all those people. I'li have him put the crowd off O'Finn's 
track. 

vSHAMUS — I thought I saw the form of an angel here 
this minute. Had ick to me eyes for two deceivers. (Calls 
softly.) Hist — .Mary — Asthore — Acushla machree are you 
in oi- are you out. Don't keep me waiting for every second 
is a year away from you and I'll be an old man in a minute. 
Are you hidiug your })eautiful self and maybe kill me wid 
joy. (Calls.) I\Iary, me angel. (Stumbles over gun.) What 
the devil is that. (Picks it up.) Look at that now. (tUus 
lying all over the place. Have they been shooting the rats. 
I hear the ould place is full of rats. I hope I'll not be the 
next rat they'll have a crack at (Puts gun standing against 
wall L. C, at back) Stand there and when you do be going 
ott" next 1 ho{' ^ I'll be otf meself. Arrah, look at her harp 
on the table, her guitar I mean. 'Tis herself that can play 
that. She often tried to teach it to me, but my hands were 
too big and clumsy. I was a poor scholar at it. ]Maybe if 
I'd pull the strings now she'd hear me and come. If I pull 
the strings nobody but herself will know that it's me. (Sees 
scarf on chair.) Ah, this belongs to her sweet self too. 
(Kisses it.) (Picks up fan.) What the divil is this? (Fans 
himself.) This is what she shovels the wind with. Musha 
there's a fine draft comes off that. (Puts down fan and 
takes up guitar. Bus Ad-lib, sings. Guitar can be cut out 
and Bus. arranged to suit. ]Mary enters during song at finish 
and comes down and throws herself in Shamus arms.) 

MARY— Shamus. 

— 14— 



SHAMUS— Core of my heart, you're here at last. But 
what's the matter. You're trembling. What's troubling you? 

MARY — I'm nervous ; anxious about you. Do you know 
that Leslie McMurrough is here? 

SHAMUS— Yes, I heard that, but I haven't seen him 
since I was a boy, before he went to England, that's years 
ago. He dof n't know me for we never spoke a word to one 
another in all our lives. Where is he? 

MARY— Hush. We have a visitor and they've all gone 
up to the top of the tower to see the house burning. 

SHAMUS— The house burning? Ah, that's O'Finn's 
house, the informer. 

MARY — You had no hand in that, did you Shamus? 

SHAMUS — Is it me? You know I'd scorn such dirty 
doings, but a lot of the boys knowing him to be "an informer 
gave him notice to quit the country. He didn't take the 
hint, and so they're giving him a warming, that's all. But 
it's for something else I'm here tonight. I have here some 
papers tliat I diiriHi't lave in me mother'^ house, that have 
to be put in some safe place, so I brought tliem to you. You 
must keep them for me till I come back for them, or send a 
token for them . 

MARY — What do those papers contain, Shamus? 

SHAMUS — (With two papers, green seals, red ink.) 
This is the oath to the cause; this is the list of the names of 
the men who have sworn upon it to help the cause of Ireland 
or die like heroes. A hundred men have written their names 
in blood to fight for their rights or die like men. Keep them 
allana for me, they will be safe in your keeping. 

MARY — I'll keep them, no matter what the risk. 

SHAMUS — Acushla, I knew you were true. (Embrace.) 

MARY — And now, Shamus, will you do me a favor? 

SHAMUS — How much? A favor, yes. Every day in the 
week and twice on Sunday, of course I will, name it. 

]MARY — You know OFinn, the wretch whose house is 
burning? 

SHAMUS— To be sure I do. 

MARY — The mob have hunted him in this direction. 

— 15— 



They are all arouud the house now searching for him. 
Shamiis, you have influence with those peoi>le. Will you 
send them away from here for mv sake? 

SHAM US — To be sure I will, but now come to the favor. 

MARY— Why, that's all . 

SHAMUS— Why, is that what you call a favor? Sure I 
thought you wautej me to murder somebody for you, sure 
that's no favor. I'll go outside and give them vagabonds the 
.signal and in five minutes you'll not find one of them within 
three quarters of a mile of ye. And now, darlin', I must tell 
ye Vm starting for Dublin tonight by the light of the moon. 
ri:i going among me eninnies to play the fool and the fox. 
I'll be away for two or three months, and if they catch me 
I'll be away forever. 

MARY — Xo — uo^ — not forever. Don't say that. 

SlIAMUS — Did I say forever? Sure, I was only jokin'. 
if 1 went away forever I'd be sure to come back tO' see you, 
darliiT, before three weeks. I'm only going for a month or 
two. Will you be true tO' me when I'm gone? 

.MARY— Yes, Shamus. 

SHAMUS — ^^Think well now. Three months is a long 
time nowadays for a girl to be thinking of a man when the 
man is gone. 

MARY — (Who is sitting in big chair R. Shamus is sit- 
."i)!g on arm of chair.) I'll be true as the sun to the day. 

SIIAMI'^S — As tlie sun is it? Sure, there's days when 
there's no sun. lint there's always daylight and sunlight in 
your love, and now, darlin', when I'm gone, no matter what 
happens to me 1 know that you will always pray for me and 
remember the poor hunted outlaw. 

^lARY — Ilush, Shamus, the very walls ha\e ears. 

SHAMUS — Are there evedroppers in the house? (Goes 
II j> (M Ah, sure you're joking, the walls have ears, so has 
a <]onkey. 'Tis not the ears but the tongue and the heart 
that tells the tale. I wish my tongue could tell the tale that's 
in my heart now. I would tell you that v.hen I come back 
'rom Dublin, if I ever come back, I may find more soldiers 
here than there 's trees upon the hillside. I would tell you 
that I may be driven from Dublin or hanged if I stop. I 

— 16— 



may be driven from Ireland and that would be as death to 
nie, for Fll be leaving- my heart behind nie, but before I go 
ril conu to you and thiow myself upon my knees lief ore you 
and say, will you be my wife, darlin' and come across the 
ocean? 

M/ KY — But, Shamus, where in the world would \\e go? 

kSIIA^irS — ^Wljere? There's only one land to go tt) when 
we leave ould Ireland behind, a land where the loving hand 
of friendship is stretching across the sea to us, a land where 
an Irishman can forget his grief and bury his sorrows neath 
the beautiful sunny skies, the glorious land of America. 

MARY — But, Shamus, we'd have to leave Ireland be- 
hind. 

SHAMUS^ — I never thought of that — so we would, of 
course, we can't carry Ireland around in our breeches pocket. 
But there's one glorious consolation, Ireland will always be 
just where she is if we want to come back to it, darlin'. 

MARY — But think of it, Shamus, in a strange country, 
perhaps without a home. 

SHA^IUS — ^Without a home, is it? I'd have you a home 
l)efore you were there a month, darlin', a home with the sun- 
shine looking through the roof both night and day. What 
more could you have than that? 

MARY — You know the old saying, Shamus. 

SHAMUS— Troth I do, lots of them. I've coined a lot 
of old sayings meself. For instance I'll make some now. 
Firstly, If you drink like a fish your rejKitation is liable to 
get scaley. Secondly, Never put off till tomorrow what you 
can get some one else to do for you today. Also, Where 
singleness is bliss 'tis folly to be wives. Another, A rolling 
pin gathers no moss. Now which one do you mane? 

MARY — When poverty comes in the door, love flies out 
of the window. 

SHAMUS — ^The divil a window we'd have in the house 
at all . 

MARY^ — But what would we do for the light? 

SHAMUS— We'd have two doors, and if that wasn't 
light eonugh we'd take off the roof, and the lightness of my 
heart would shine through my waistcoat and illuminate the 

-17— 



whole house, and besides there's the light of your beautiful 
eyes, and the lo\e and heat that's in my heart. Sure we'll 
have light and heat f^ ' tlie rest of natural existence, 

MARY — But Shauius. are you sure tliat you'll always 
love me? 

SHA^IUS— Sure? 1 loved you the first moment I ever 
saw you, and will on to the end in this world and l)eyond it 
I hope. I love yu better tluiu the llowevs, tlie sjuiugriine or 
freedom. I love you better tlian I do me i)0()r ould mother, 
and I love her from tlie ground she walks on to six feet above 
her beautiful head. (Shaiiius, if possible, sings here: Be- 
lieve me if all tliose eud(\n'ing young charms.) (At close of 
song crash is heard off 1. .'>. Shamus U|) C. quick to window.) 
I knew there was rats in the liouse. Mary Mavoui'ueen, if 
T stop here I nmy get you in trouble. I'll leave you now and 
drive the boys away, but I'll be back before you're ten min- 
utes older. (Exit C.) 

MARY — How could O'Finn have made that noise? 
(Mechanically drops papers Shamus gave her on table R.) 
\Yhat would they all say if he were discovered here. What 
would Shamus think? He must leave here at once. (Opens 
door L. 3.) O'Finn, come out quick, you must lonve here. 
\Yhy, what's the matter, what is it? 

O'FINN — (Staggers out and falls (\, feigned fright.) 
The divil's in that cloc-.-t. ^ly life is scared out of me. Get 
me water. (Pretending to faint.) (^uick, a cup of water, for 
Heaven's sake water, water, — 

MARY — IIusli, keej) quiet. I'll get vou the water. (Exit 
R. 3.) 

O'FINN— ( Looks around cautiously.) I done that well. 
I slipped off a broken chair trying to reach the jeweled pistols 
on the shelf inside. Aha, she loves O'Brien. Wait awhile. 
I'll make ye pay for yer sacret, me lady. But where are the 
papers he gave her. ( Looks on both tables, finds them, comes 
r., kneels.) Here they are, aha, O'Brien you struck nie down 
like a dog once, now I'll strike back again. Aha, these papers 
will hang Shamus O'Brien and his whole gang. There's the 
oath they swore by, and there's a list of the names of the green 
ribbon boys. Aha, these were once his treasure, now they 
are mine, mine. ( Holds them up in L. hand.) 

— 18— 



MARY — (Enters during last part of O'Finn's speech 
with glass of water which she quickly puts on table K. Sees 
O'Finii with papers; as he raises them in his hand she tears 
them from his grasp.) No, they are mine. 

CTPINN — (O'Finu falls back, leaning on his elbow. Pic- 
ture. He starts up R. C. well down.) Give them back to 
m(\ Them papers contain the names of the blackguards that 
liurued me out of house and home. Give them to me — 

MARY — (C.) Remember my semice to you, O'Finn, and 
may Heaven deal with you as you deal with me. 

OTINN — The papers. They're worth a hundred pounds 
to me, to sell to the government. Give them to me, I must 
have them. (Starts towards her.) 

MARY — (Warning for curtain.) One more step and I'll 
have you kicked from the house like the low, contemptable 
cur 3'ou are. 

O'FINN — Kicked from the house, ha-ha, you can't. They 
are beyond the reach of your voice, and McMurrough, your 
cousin, is my friend, ha-ha. I'll have them papers if I have 
to open your lily white throat to get them. (Rushes towards 
her, she retreats and screams up L. C. near window. Shamus 
conies on C, throws G'Finn down R. Picture. O'Finn rises, 
grabs sword from R. table, rushes at Shamus, who picks up 
gun O'Finn brought on and levels it at O'Finn who drops 
sword.) (Lights full on from Shamus' entrance.) 

SHAMUS— Stand back or I'll blow yonr life out. 

Picture. 

(Curtain.) 

SHAMUS O'BRIEN, ACT 2. 

(Lights full up all through this act. One scene only. 
Chamber in 3. C. door. Officers' quarters at Portebello Bar- 
racks, Dublin. Backed by Chamber Flat. Boxed. No 
doors L. or R. Sofa down R. Hassock for feet at sofa. 
Small table above, near sofa. Cloth on table. Table L. C. 
no cloth, with three chairs, tap bell on table L. Sideboard 
up R. of C. D. with decanter of vinegar and several wine 
glasses. Large celery glass or schooner with flowers in it. 
Ornaments, et cetra; pint bottle with wine like champagne, 

—19— 



sealed, on top of side board. Decanter and 3 glasses with 
wine outside L. (\ Cork screw and official documents in 
drawer of sideboard. Small parcel containing money and 
purse. (lold ring enclosed, also letter for servant to bring 
on, silver tray. Sealed document. Two pistols in sideboard 
drawer. English flag over door for Shamus to' haul down.) 
(At rise of curtain servant, Williams, bows to Col. Claverly 
and McMurrough. Exit servant.) 

COL. — ^Cap. McMurrough, I congratulate you on the 
lengthened I'cjHtrr you have brought to Dublin; also on the 
steps you are about taking to suppress this rebellion in Gal- 
way. 

:McM.— (Both sit at tal-le.) Thank you. Col. Claverly, I 
shall do all I can for the government at any risk. 

COL. — Have you received any information today? 

McM.;— None. The law-breakers have been quiet lately. 
Their leader, Shamus O'Brien, has disappeared from Glen- 
gall. 

COL. — By the way, last night I had a visit from a strange 
looking vagabond, one Slu^drick O'Finn. Do you know him? 

INIcM — Yes, slightly. He is a cowardlj^ mongrel, a gov- 
ernment spy. It seems a pity we have to employ such fellows. 

COL— That is the fellow exactly. He told me that he 
had heard that Shamus O'Brien was somewhere here in Dub- 
lin. He asked me what reward he would get if he discovered 
and betrayed O'Brien. 

McM. — And vour answer was 



COL. — J kicked him out, damn it. If we are going to 
make war on these people let's fight fair. Informers ought 
to be shot as spies are in time of war. Did any one come 
with you from Crlengall? 

McM. — Yes, Sir Reginald Dare, cousin of the Viceroy. 

COL. — Indeed. I should like to meet him. "SMiere is he? 

WILKINS— (Enters L. C. Announces.) Sir Reginald 
Dare, Bar-o-net. 

McM. — Speak of the devil, and here he is — 

DARE — (Enter C.) Speak of Belzebub and here is a 

— 20 — 



barrister. Hoav de do, gentlemen. I called to pay my re- 
spects to the army. 

McM, — (lutroducino liim.) Permit me, Sir IJeginald 
Dare tliiis is Col Chiverly, coiiiiuunder of my regimeut. (Col, 
rises. They bow and shake hands.) 

DAKE — Delighted to meet you Col. I am yours to com- 
mand, also. 

COL. — (Shaking his hand.) Gratified to meet you sir. 
How are you? 

McM. — Allow me to offer you a comfortable seat. (Points 
'ouch R.) 

DAIIE— Thanks awfully. (Sits.) 

COL. — (To servant up C.) \Vilkins, some wine? (Ser- 
vant brings down decanter. Col. smells it.) Wilkins take 
this back and get a fresh bottle. ( Servant takes it back of 
sideboard. There is also a bottle of horse hair wash on side- 
board.) That is vinegar, a joke on a gentleman last night at 
supper here. Some young devils filled that decanter with 
vinegar from the cruets and he drank some of it, perfectly 
oblivious. Ha ha-ha! Oh dear, it was bad taste but great 
fun. (Servant brings another bottle from sideboard, the 
one that's meant to pop.) What have you got now? Lets 
see, Wilkins. Why, this is the latest hair wash for horses — 
makes hair thick and glossy. No, we wont drink that, Wil- 
kins. (to to the butler and get a decanter of sherry (juick. 
(Exit Wilkins.) AVell, lur do you like Ireland, Sir Regin- 
ald? Your first visit, eh? 

DARE — No, I've been here once before. I am always 
delighted with the people and charmed with the scenery. 
Wfl^ren I was a boy I used to think Ireland was a land of 
savages. I came and found it a laud of saints, and as for 
women — oh, my heart is gone already. 

COL. — Take care, sir, that the ladies over here don't be- 
witch you and make a rebel of you. 

DARE — If liking the Irish ladies nmkes a man a rebel 
I'm afraid I'm getting slightly rebellious, but don't you think 
the term rebel somewhat too strong? Wlien the people of a 
foreign land fight bravely for their liberty we call them 
heroes, but when an Irishman fights for his country he is 

2 1 — 



called a rebc4. Sauce for the goose should be sauce for the 
gander, tho' in this case it's hard to say which is the goose. 

McM. — Don't mind him, Col. He lost his heart in Gal- 
way . 

COL. — (Laughing.) AVell, I hope he wont lose his head 
in Dublin. (Crash off L. U.) What the devil is that. (Enter 
Wilkius with tray, decanter and three glasses, marches mil- 
itary style, square turns to table, puts wine on table, marches 
back again, same way; when he gets to C. D., Col speaks.) 
Halt, Front. By the way, what noise was that I heard just 
now. 

^yILKINS — The neAv coachman, yer onor, hupset some 
dishes, your 'onor. Hi remonstrated with 'im hand 'e tried 
to 'it me, your 'onor, hand called me ha Henglish homodaun. 

COL. — T\Tiat the duece is a homodaun? 

WILKINS — Hi don't know, your 'onor, but hi think hit 
must be something 'orrid by the way he said hit. 

COL. — Oh, he means au omadauu I suppose. Bring him 
here Wilkins. 

WILKINS — Bring that barbarious savage 'ere, sir? 

COL.— I said here, you rascal, not 'ere. (Servant salutes 
and grotes(iue exit L. quick.) These new devils of servants 
can never agree, by the way, this new coachman I engaged 
the other day is quite a character. He's a fine coachman 
but lie takes pdssessisiU of the entire lot down stairs. (Crash.) 
Ah, they're at it again. When he comes up lets see if we can't 
have some fun with him. (Lively music. Enter Wilkins, 
followed by Shamus disguised as coachman.) 

WILKINS — 'Ere 'e is, your 'onor. 

SHAMI'S — (To Col.) Did you send for me, your honor? 
You tould me a while ago to harness the horse. Well, the 
half of the harness is on the half of the horse and the other 
half of the horse is naked. 

A\'1LKINS — ]^.(^have yourself. There's nobody halloAved 
hup 'ere but gentlemen. Cawn't you see? 

SHAMUS — Nobody but gentlemen ; how did you get up? 

WILKINS— Hi belongs 'ere. 

SHAMUS — You wouldn't belong here if I was master 
of the place. 

22 



COL.— What is tliat, coacliiiian? 
SHAMFS— Sir? 

COL.— Wliat is it? 

SHAM US — (Points to AMlkins.) Do you mane tliat? 
Troth 1 don't know what it is. It looks like something I 
never saw befor(\ a barber's sign or something. I never saw 
one of them 'til I came in your house outside the zoological 
gardens. If I had a face like that I'd walk backwards. He's 
wliat I call i swivel faced omadaun, wid whiskers on. 

( ).MXES— lia-iia-ha— 

AVILKINS — Did ye 'ere what 'e's a calling of me yer 
'onor? 

SHAMUS — I wouldn't call you if I wanted you. I'd 
whistle to you the same I do to the other dog down stairs. 
(Starts to hit him.) Col. will you let me hit him once, and 
if he dies you can stop it out of my wages. lie's worth about 
sixpence a gross. (Hits at him.) (Jet out. (Wilkins runs 
off L. C.) 

COL.— Ha-ha-ha— 

SHAMUS — Do you see, sir, (Looking off L. C), he's do- 
ing that to m". (Puts his finger to nose. Speaks off L. C.) 
If I hit you once 111 make you sorry your father was ever 
introduced to your mother. 

McM. — (Aside.) I seem to know that face. (To Col.) 
By the way, where does he belong? 

SHA^IUS — 1 don't belong anywhere. I'm always mov- 
ing about. 

McM. — Where do you come from, fool? 

SHAMUS — Down stairs empty, not full. 

McM. — What's your name? 

SHAMUS — I luirdly know, Owney Dugan I think. You 
see my father's uncle was called Patrick Phatermusty from 
Lugerhumlagg, my grandfather was Andy Ilolligan wid the 
lame face, my father was a Dennis Doogin from Skibbereen 
where they used to ate the donkeys, and my mother-in-law 
was second cousin to the divil, and I've lots of relations not 
born yet. 

DARE — Do you keep all those names catalogued? 

—23— 



SHAM us — Yis. I keep them catalogued and dog-a- 
logiied and liorse-a-logued and water-aiogued, we have them 
with all the filarities. 

COL. — Ha"ha-lir What was your father's trade, 
O'wney? 

SHAMUS — He was a married man; he didn't work. He 
was what was called a persuader. 

DARE — A persuader; what's that? 

SHAMUS — A man that can persuade a pig to go to mar- 
ket if its fourteen miles and the pig will never turn round 
once to ax questions. He started out once with a i)et pig we 
had, but the poor crayture hadn't been properly vaccinated 
and took chillblains on the lungs and died of consumption on 
the journey. 

DARE— Who, your father? 

SHAMUS — No, the pig. 'Twas a long journey to the 
fair, and the rain started down. He went into a farm house 
to get out of the storm, lie walked up to the fire place and 
commenced to warm his liauds before the bit of turf and have 
a pull at the pipe — 

McM.— Who, the pig? 

SHAMUS' — No, me father, Ac!i, sure you're taking a 
rise out of me. (Turns up stage.) Hould on a while, are ye. 
listening. Just at that time the pig meanders in through the 
half door and runts around amongst the skillets and pots and 
the pans, and when the pig came in the fun commenced for 
there happened to be a monkey in the house — 

McM. — A monkey? 

DARE— A monkey? Ha-ha! 

SHAMUS — Ha-ha! Yes, did you know him? Ha"ha! 
That's the kind of monkey he was. Ha-ha ! WTien the monkey 
saw the pig he grabbed hould of a rwo pronged fork and 
jabbed it into the pigs ear, the pig commenced to squeal, me 
father run to separate them. I stood off laughing. I never 
saw^ so much fun in a pigs ear in my 'Ife before, just at that 
time in came the man that owned the monkey. Howly 
weaver, says he, they're trying to destroy me pet. He grabbed 
hould of the poker ; it was red hot about that much on the 
end. He made a welt at him and singed all the whiskers off 

—24— 



his cholers all around there, if ve plaze. (Motions to chin.) 

McM.— Who, your father? 

SHAMUS— No, your father, the monkey. (McM threat- 
ens him. Shamus runs up stage.) 

OOL. — Don't get annoyed, Cap. It's only a joke. Ha" 
ha-ha, the vagabond is full of fun. 

SHAMUS— (At sideboard.) I wish I was full of whis- 
eky. (Examines bottles at sideboard.) 

OOL. — Look at him now. What are you after, Owney? 

SHAMUS — Like yourself, I'm after what's before me. 

COL. — I see you are casting sheep's eyes on that bottle. 

SHAMUS —Yes, sir. I feel like a calf looking into a pan 
of buttermilk. 

COL. — Well, take a drink. Help yourself. (Talks aside 
to Dare and Cap.) That bottle contains the vinegar. Help 
yourself, Owney. 

SHAMUS— How much of this do you take at a done? 

COL. — As much as you like. 

SHAMUS^ — As much as I like. (Bus. of pouring out 
small glass then takes flowers out of large glass, pours small 
glass into it and fills it from bottle.) As much as I like. 
Have you got any more of it? That's what I call a white 
horse of a different color. (About to drink.) Ah, there's a 
fly in it. (Takes fly out with finger.) Well, here's good 
health. (To Col.) x\nd you, sor. (Drinks.) (Spurts it out 
C. door, takes table cloth from table and wipes his mouth.) 
Next time you ax me to drink give it to me in the Russian 
style, if ye plaze. 

COL. — Russian style; how is that? 

SHAMUS — With the flies in one glass and the liquor 
in the other . 

COL. — Ha-ha"ha! Well, I'll give you a drink in the 
Russian style if you give us a song. 

OMNES — Yes, a song, a song. 

SHA^MUS — vSure, I can hardly drink, let alone sing. I 
caught a could last night drinking whiskey out of a damp 
glass, but if you want it I'll give you a few bars. ( Song.) 

COL. — (After song.) Come, gentlemen, join me in a 

—25— 



ii,lass of wiue. MtOIiirrongh. you do the honors. Come, Sir 
IJcgiuald. (Calls Shamus.) 

McM. — Ownev, bring me a clean glass. (Gives wine to 
Dare and Col.) 

SIIA^IITS — This is where I gel a drink. There's no clane 
glasses here, harriu' the one that's fnll and that's dirty. 
Never mind, I'll wash it out meself. (Takes large glass with 
vinegar, llirows it out the door in ])ail outside, comes down 
wiping glass with coat, to McM.) Here's your clane glass, 
your honor. 

McM — Xoi that glass, one like this. (Holds up small 
one.) 

SHAAirS — T) you call tlial soap l)ul)ble a glass, your 
honor? 

Mc.\l. — Ceilainiy, what do you call th;>t? 

SllAMl'S — If tiiat's a ghiss this must be a bath tub in 
high society. ((Jets wine glass and down to McM.) A glass 
like that wouldn't wet one side of my tliroat. I've got coni- 
]»artments for forty glasses like that, (to McM.) Here's your 
glass, your honor. 

McM. — (Takes glass.) Ah, that's better. 

SHAM US — Well, I'll make it sick again. It's not every 
day we kill a pig. (Holds glass, while McM. pours wine. 
When filled, Shamus goes +o drink it. ^dc^M. siezes it from 
him.) 

.McM. — Tut-tut-tut. ( Takes glass.) (lentlemen, here's joy. 

SHAMUS— (Goes (\) Tut-tut. I should say it was 
tut-tut, axes me to drink and gives me the tuftut for it. 

DARE — I'll try some more. 

SHAMUS — (Aside.) I haven't got mine yet. 

DARE — Deliglitful, never had anything better than this 
in England. 

SHAMUS — There'll be nothing like it in Ireland after 
yini drink it all up. 

COL. — Try some more. (Pours it out.) Come, Cap. 

SHA:MUS — More for that gazabee and ^ got none. 
There's four of us, but only three of us drinkin\ (Turns to 
sideboard.) This is what's called a Russian drink. Sing me 

—26— 



a song, says he, and Til give you a drink, says he. ( Sings 
ad lib, sees bottle, imitation champagne on sideboard, takes 
it down stage, grasping table cloth as he goes down.) I'll 
drink this if it pizens me. (Looks at bottle.) Here goes. 
(Bus, ad lib, drawing cork, it pops; tries to stop it. Sits on 
it on sofa. Rises, takes it up, unwraps it. I'L drink it 
before it has another spasm. (Drinks gimaces.) It puts me 
in mind of something I never tasted before. (Reads label.) 
Hello, heres a sign board on it. (Reads.) Instructions for 
outward application only. Peter M'Guffin's efferecent hair 
wasli for horses. Howly Moses. Hair wasli. I'll either be 
dead in two weeks or I'll liave whiskers growing all over the 
inside of my stomacli. Here comes the fellow with the 
whiskers. (Enters ^Yilkins quickly. Comes down C, with 
tray on which is letter, purse and ring. He goes to Col.) 

WILKINS — The horderly brought this, yer 'onor, ha 
package for Col. Claverly and a letter for Cap. McMurrough. 
(Turns military style, goes up C, when he is about half way 
up Shamus throws hassock at him and knocks hi'u out C.) 

COL. — (Opens parcel as he gets it. Servant returns 
with hassock on tray, places it near sofa and exits.) 

SHA^MUS — If it had been a hard boiled one it would 
have killed him, and he brought it back on a plate. Well, 
for pure politeness that bangs banniger. 

3Ic^I. — (Reading.) Shadrick O'Finn communicatv's in- 
formation of importance. The outlaw Shamus O'Brien is in 
Dublin. 

DARE — Then he'll be captured, I'll bet a poney. 

SHAMUS — I'll bet you a liorse that he w^n't and if you 
win that will be a horse on me. ( X.) 

COL. — (With letter, purse, etc.) Well, indeed, this is a 
surprise. (Jentlemen, look here. 

SHAMUS — (Aside.) What's coming now, 1 wonder. 

COL.— (X to C.) Owney— 

SHAMUS^SIR. 
COL. — Your fortune is made. 
SHAMUS — That will save me a lot of hard work. 
COL. — Did you stop some run-away horses yesterday? 

—27— 



SHAMUS— I did, sor. 

COL. — Do you know wlios^e carriage they belonged to? 

SHAM US — I never axed the liorses, sor, but you see I 
was coming round from Abbey street to Sackville street, the 
horses ran away. I jumped and stopped them before they 
dashed against Nelson's pillar and smashed into smithereens. 
There was a man inside the carriage. He axed me me name. 
I touhl hiiu Owney Dugan, that I was your servant, and 
that's all I know about it. 

COL. — It was the Viceioy of Ireland. 

DAKE.— And my uncle. 

SiLVMrS — Your uncle the A'iceroy? There was no vice 
about the dacent man wlien I saw him. 

COL. — And he sends you tliese. 

kSHA^MCS— Those— 

COL. — Yes, these. A purse and a ring, and a letter which 
reads thus: ( Ilcads. ) To Owney Dugan, servant of Col. 
Chiverly, King's Own Kegiiiient. Sir. I consider that to 3'ou 
I owe my gratitiuh^ for saving me from a serious accident. 
Please accept tliis ring as a souvenir of your bravery, a 
sight of this ring will always command my most immediate 
attention. Signed, Coriiwallis, Viceroy. (Goes back to seat 
iiftcr giving k^ter. ring and purse to Shamus.) 

SUA MLS — Thank you, sor. A ring, a letter and a purse 
full of money. I'll tak(> that home to me mother and when 
she gets tliat tliere'll be great goiu's on in Cimamara, I'm 
thinking. 

DAKE — (K. C. Aside to Shamus.) You're a develish 
brave fellow. 

SHAMCS — Brave? 1 should say so. Y'ou should see 
tlic goslins fly out of the gutter when I waddle into it. 

DARE — (To Shamus.) I know you, I think — 

SHA^irS — (Bus. with purse.) And I know you and 
1 think I'll put my money in the other pocket. (Does so.) 

DAIiE— (Whispers.) You're Shamus O'Brien. 
SllAMUS^ — (Startled) ilusli, not a word for your life. 
DAKE — I'll not betray you. I remember when you 

—28— 



protected me once when I visited Glengall on a mail car. 
I owe you a debt. 

SHAMUS — Now is voiir time to pay it. I have a re- 
ceipe on the end of my tongue. 

DARE— Can you take a hint? 

SHAMUS— Is it in a bottle? 

DARE— No. 

SHAMUS — Give it to me dry then. 

DARE — Talve my advice and get out, there's danger 
about. (Retires to table R. Enter Wilkins.) 

SHAMES— (Looks at servant.) Is that wliat he calls 
danger. Well, FU fix danger in a minute. 

AYILKINS — (With dispatch on tray, comes down C, 
to Shamus. S(iuare turn, goes to Col., as Shamus picks up 
hassock.) Ilanotliei- liorderly hon 'orseback l)rought this 
dispatch, sir, from 'ead quarters. 'E says has 'ow hit wants 
your signature Col. 

COL.— (Reads.) Tell the orderly to wait till I sign it. 
Bring me pen and ink at once. (Shamus throws hassock 
at servant as he exits C.) This dispatch will be handed to 
you tomorrow, ]McMurrough. It contains our complete plans 
for the capture of a body of rebels in Galway under the 
leadership of Shamus O'Brien. I must sign it at once and 
send it back to be countersigned by the Viceroy. 

McM. — Let me read it. Does so.) 

DARE^ — (To Shamus.) Take my advice and get out. 

SHAMUS— Thanks for the loan of your tea pot. I'll 
get out but not till I get that dispatch. (At sideboard, gets 
paper.) Here's onather paper. I'll write on it, '"For Head- 
quarters immediate," I'll give it to the fellow below and 
send him ofT, and when the Col. wants to send the real one 
and finds the orderly gone maybe he'll send me or the 
servant, and if he sends him it will be all day with him. 
Where the divil's the pen and ink. (Enter servant with 
pen and ink on tray.) Come here. (He does so.) (Shamus 
writes.) Is there a man and horse down stairs? 

WILKINS— Yes, there his. 

SHAMUS — Is he any relation to you? 

—29— 



WILKINS— Who? 

SHAMUS— Tlie horse. 

WILKINS— Do I look like a horse? 

v^FTA^IUS — No, your ears are too I'ong for a horse. 
Vou lodk more like a horse's first eoiisiii. ( Gives pen and 
Mik back to servant wlio takes them to Col.) Evervthing 
is fair in love and war they sa> . I'll liive this to the orderly 
and off lie'll ixo. (Exit C.) 

WILKIX8— The hink, sir. 

COL'.— What Ue])t yon so lonj;? 

AVILKINS— Yonr 'onor mnst 'ave s(>eu that 'orrid fel- 
low, the Hirishman, writing- sometliinc:. 'E 'ad the handacity 
to wipe the pen on my whisk(M*s, your 'onor. 

COL. — Ciet out and don't be so stupid. 

^VILKINS — Yes, sir. No, sir. (Exit C, indi<inant.) 

COL.— Now I'll affix my signature to this dispatch and 
s(Mid it to its destination- (Kings bell. Wilkins enters.) 
Summon the orderly here. 

^V1LKINS — The horderly's 'orse is thrown 'im lioff, 
your "onor. His senses are knocked out of 'im, but they've 
got the orse all right below, your 'onor. 

COL.— Tlie devil. 

SlIAMUS— (Enters C.) (lone to the devil. Yes. He'll 
soon get there by the rate he's traveling. 

COL. — This dispatcli must I'cacli the Viceroy at once. 
^^■ho will take it? Wilkins can you ride? 

WILKINS — No, sir. Never rode a 'orse in my life, 
your 'onor. 

OOL, — O'wney, can you ride. 

SLIA^n^S — I can ride anything that ever wore hair. 
Ride I I should say so. I was six months a chambermaid 
in a livery stable. I can walk, trot, creep or gallop. Which 
motion would you like? 

COL. — Then mount the orderly's horse and take this 
to the Viceroy at once- ((Jives dispatch.) 

SHACM US— (Reads.) To Comwallis, Viceroy, Dublin 
Castle. The man that gets this from me now will have to 
commit murder or suicide. Suicide preferred. 

—30— 



O'Fiirn — (Noise outside. iSi)('aks outside.) Let ine pass. 
Let me pass — 

COL.— \Miat noise is that? 

O'FINN — (Enters L. C.) Cap. McMurougli, I've brouglit 
you the information you're wanting. 

McM. — What information ? 

O'FINN — Information of that outlaw, Shamus O'Brien. 
He is in tliis house, disguised as one of the servants. 

DAKE^ — Yes, and I thiulv I recognize him now. 

COL. — Who do you mean? 

DARE — That man with the whiskers. (Points to Wil- 
kins, who astonished drops tray) 

SHxVMUvS— Ye thafe of the world; we've caught you at 
last. Hould him while I get the solders. 

]\rcM. — (8iezes Wilkius, who struggles.) Ila-ha-ha 1 
We've got you at last. 

O'FINN — No, no, no! Not that one. This man here. 
(IV)ints to Shamus.) 

SIIA.MU^ — (In C door, with two pistols wliieh he points. 
Move one step and you're a dead man. 

Picture and curtain. 

SHAMUS O'BRIEN. ACT THIRD. 

(Exterior, country scene. Full extent- Set tree L. 
C. with hole in it to put papers in. Tree for Shamus to 
climb. Rustic bench at foot of tree L. C. Set cottage R. 3. 
Fallen tree or log at back for seat. Rocks at back, R, and 
L. Run U. E. off L. to center of stage. Irish landscape 
backing full, stage. Lights up. Birds heard singing.) 

MRS. O'BRilEN — (Enters at rise from over near from 
L'. with needle work) Well, I've done all the work in- 
side the house and everything is bright and clean for my 
son Shamus when he returns. I'll just sit outside here 
awhile and get a mouthful of fresh air. 'Tis a lovely 
afternoon. (Sits.) The birds are singing in the sunshine 
and the flowers are like a beautiful Coleen in her best 
clothes. (Birds sing.) Sing away, ye darlin's, and I'll 
join ye. (Sings the following, or it can be cut:) 

— 3i~ 



Oh Sliamus ()"l>rieij, why (k)u't you come liome, 
Sure, you dou't knoAV liow liappy I'd be, 

I've but oue darling wish and it is that you'll come, 
Aud forever live happy with uie. 

(Kate O'Kielly has entered during song L. slips down 
softly behind Mrs. O'Brien, puts her hands from behind over 
^Irs. O'B's eyes. Birds stop) Oh powers of war, I'm 
blinded. Whoever you are, plaze let me off this time and 
I'll promise never to sing again. 

KATK— (Comes down.; ^Irs. O'Brien, pardon; it's 
only my fun. I iioix' I didn't startle you. How are you 
today? 

MBS. O'B.— Sure and it's yourself, Miss O'Rielly, and 
glad I am to se you looking so well. Sit down, Mis.s. (She 
sKs.) Can I get you something to eat or a drink of sweet 
jnilk iiuiybe? — you want something, I can see by the hungry 
twiukh' of your eye. 

KATE — My dear, ]\rrs. O'Brien, how kind you are, but 
you're mistaken. I want nothing to eat and nothing to 
drink, and nothing to smoke and nothing to wear. Well, 
well, nothing but what I've got on, and I'm as happy as a 
prize poodle at a dog sliow. ( Hums song.) 

MBS. ()"B. — Youth aud beauty should be happy, and 
lialf tlu' country are dying about you, and the other half 
ai'e moon struck over Mary Donoughmore. 

KATE — ]Mary's in love with Shamus, and I'm in love 
with Mr. — I don't know who. 

}dBS. O'B. — Troth, you'v(> got the symptoms, and may 
1 ask will! is Mr. 1 Don't Know Who? Eh, sure buig ago 
I was that way meself once. 

KATE— Were you? Oh, of course, .Mrs. O'Brien, before 
you were married. Did you ever feel as if there was a little 
angel in your heart trying to dance a hornpipe? 

^FKS. O'B. — Troth, I did a hornpipe, and a jig, and a 
whole set of quadrilles, me darlin'. 

KATE — (Dances about. I Well, I'm that way now. I 
feel as if I could fly, and walking was too common al- 
together . 

—32— 



^[IvS. O'B. — You're on the wing-g of love, me dear. 
You're in love and tou don't know it. 

KATE — Am I? I suppose I am. Well, I never felt 
it so strong before- Jolly, isn't it? I feel as if I wanted 
to be kissed. 

MRS. O'B.— Well, if I was the man I'd oblige you 
quick. ^Alio came over here with you, anyone? (Kate nods.) 
A gentlenum maybe. (Kate nods.) 

KATE — Yes. You don't know him. He's behind in 
the woods gatliering me some flowers. I told Mm to wait 
behind until I spoke to you. I didn't think you'd like to 
meet him. He's an Englishuuiu and quite tame. His name 
is Sir Reginald Dare, and he is the loveliest man. I mean — 
that is — oh, what am I saying. (Turns L. embarrassed.) 

MRS. O'B. — Look at her blushing because her tongue 
slipped, and he's been telling her the sweet ould fairy tale 
that every Collen loves to hear. 

KATE— (Aside.) Oh. why did I tell her so much- I 
sp<^ke too quick. That ciriucs through being a woman, I 
suppose. I was born. I think, with my foot in my mouth. 
(To Mrs. O'B.) Oh, Mrs. O'Brien, I must tell you the news. 
Cap. Mc^Murrougli and a lot of soldiers have returned from 
Dublin and they've brought all the papers with the news. 
Tlie papers are full of the latest true and particular ac- 
count of your son's history and adventures as a disguised 
coachman to Col. CTaverly in Dublin. 

MRS. O'B. — The saints preserve us! He is not caught 
is he. Miss? 

KATE — Caught? No ! He escaped and made a fool of 
the authorities. Now do you wonder that I feel as if there 
were angels dancing- gigs all around me. Hurro- hurro! 

MRS. O'B. — Troth, I don't, the good news makes me 
feel as if there was a little divil dancin' a jig in my heart 
too. Hurro, Miss O'Rielly, hurro I If ye have any dancing 
blood in your body, face me. (Music, jig. Both dance and 
cross R. and L- until Dare appears. Mrs. O'Brien sees 
Dare. Rushes to chair R. of table R. Screams and throws 
apron over her head. Kate dances on. Mrs. O'B. points 

--33-- 



to Dare. Kate screams. Falls iu chair L. of table. Pulls 
hat over her eves and laughs.) 

DAIIE— (Coming- down L. (\ with flowers.) Well, 
upon my word, this is (juite refreshing. Pardon my in- 
trusion. Fm sorry I stopped your terpsichorean efforts. 
Yon Irish ladies lu'ijt t\\v \\'orM for go. Yon do, npou my 
sacred honor. 

KATE — (Pushes lici- hat Itack.) Sir Reginald Dare, 
how dare yon follow me here. I thought you were gather- 
ing flowers. 

DAIJE — I w ;; > and 1 have fdund siune rare wild ones. 
(Presents them to Kate.) Excuse me for coming here, but 
1 really did not know where T was going; merely rambling 
on by fate or instinct. It's awfully jolly, tliis Irish air. I'm 
<iuite intoxicated \\ith — ah — the climate, of course. It's 
made another man of me. so blame the other man if I have 
aired. Speaking of air. wliat air was that yon were danc- 
ing to? 

KATE — Air? Irish air, and it is so pure to you foreign- 
ers thtiit it makes them light footed and light headed at 
tiuK^s,, and if you ever get a taste of the real Irish dew — in 
a bottle — it will di'ive you crazy, they say, so beware of the 
night when the dew is about. 

DARE — Shall I return liome before the dew falls alone? 

KATI] — No. ^Yait for me. Since you are here I sup- 
pose we will have to put n\) with you. I beg your pardon, 
Mrs. O'Brien, I forgot. Allow me to introduce you. Sir 
Reginald Dare, this is Mrs .O'Brien, Shamus O'Brien's 
mother, i 

DARE — Delighted to become acquainted with the 
nuither of a hero. (Mr;^. O'Brien bobs three times. He bows, 
then bobs (Uice. To audience) This is an Irish bow I sup- 
pose . 

MRS. O'B.— Any friend of Miss O'Rielly's is always 
welcome here, sir. So you've heard of my son, sir? 

DARiE — Heard of him? Fm proud to say I know him. 
That is to say, we met. He did me a service once when 
some gentlemen of the highway had me in a tight fix, and 
I shall never forget it, and as I studied law and am a bar- 

—34— 



rister by profession, as well as a Baronet, should he ever 
be where my legal services are required, be sure that they 
will be placed at his disposal, or the disposal of his friends. 

MIv>?. O'B. — Thank your honor. Sure, nuiy your eyes 
never have cause for a tear or 3^our face want for a smile, 
and the oil of joy be always wid your honor. (Bobs again.) 

DARE — Thank you, mam, for your very good wishes. I 
meiin it, upon my honor's honor, Mrs. O'Brien. (He bobs 
and tries to imitate Mrs. O'B., who bobs. To audience.) 
Dueced funny this bobbery business. (Mrs. O'B. takes sew- 
ing in cottage.) 

KATE — What a pity it is you're not an Irishman. 

DARE — If ever I'm lucky enough to marry the girl I 
love ril be half Irish, I sincerely trust. 

KATE — (Looks him all over.) Which half do you sin- 
cerely trust? 

DARE— My better half I'll sincerely trust. 

KATE — Another trust. That's good. Have you e^^er 
been to Blarney Castle? 

DARE — Yes, indeed, and kissed the Blarney stone. 

KATE — Kissed the Blarney stone? I knew it, and the 
flavor has never left your mouth. 

DARE^ — I'm honored to think 3'ou know that flavor, 
through me, of the Blarney stone, not my mouth, dear Kate. 
(Puts arm around her.) 

KATE — (Pushes him away.) Behave yourself, you 
Sassenach, before folks. (He tries to kiss her. She pushes 
him away.) Don't you dare! 

DARE — There's nobody looking, and for j^ou I'd dare 
anything, even to make you a Lady Dare, if you dare. Dare 
you? (Takes her hand.) 

KATE — (Laughing) I dare say, someday I'll dare. (He 
kisses her hand. 

MRS. O'B. — (Enters from house.) Well, since you 
young people have done me the honor of a visit, would you 
mind coming inside my humble house and refresh your- 
selves? 

KATE — ^Certainly, we'll go inside the O'Brien castle. 

-35— 



(Points to cottaiiv.i And why not? Tome, Sir Blarney 
Stone, g-o over there and (>scort Mrs. O'Brien in doors. 

DAKE— Witii pleasnve. ( X. to K. of Mrs. O'B.) :N[rs. 
O'Brien, allow me to offer yon my arm — 

MRS. O'B. I Mrs. O'B. bobs np and down, he does so 

too.) Thank yon kindly, yonr lionor, bnt if I take your arm 
can I do as 1 want witli it? 

DABE — It is entirely at yonr disposal. 

.MKS. O'B. — (^'ak( s bis arm L. and beckinis Kate to her, 
puts Kate's arm tlironiili liis.) Well, there's somebody that 
will clino tdoser jind lonjicr to it than 1 ever could or would. 
There now, .May ,\m\ June should never be separated in 
fair or foul weatlier. be always toiiether. 

Xs;ATE — (To Dare.) You're in oreat luck today. 

DARE — Yes, indeed. I'm just drawing a prize. (Draws 
her arm closer and starts U.) (Cheers heard off R. U. 
Ilurro, et cetra.) What's this? Another surprise. This 
is a country of surprises. i.M(U'e cheers heard.) 

.MRS. O'l?.— (Goes up (\ Looks off R.) Kerens my 
son; come back and looking like the King of Galway. Ilurro! 
( Shamus and crowd enters from R. T) 

SHAMrS — Mother, me (hirlin'. I'm back to you safe 
and sound, wid money in every pocket. (Emhrace.) 

KATE — (End)races and kisses Dare and throws him 
in chair.) Ilurro! My Irish blood is up and T can't help it. 

MRS. (VB. — My blessin's on you, me darlin' son. W(^ 
were just talking of you. Is it well ye are. but I needn't ask 
that. Oome inside. Y'ou must be tirel and hungry and nmy- 
be thirsty. 

SHAMUS — :Mother. I was born thirsty and never got 
over it. It's grand company you keep while I'm away. I 
see Sir Reginald Rare and lovely :\Iiss O'Rielly. It's proud 
to see you, I am, near me moth(U''s house. I'm obliged to 
you, sir, for helping me in my scrape in Dublin. Come in- 
side even- one of y(Ui and I'll tell ye of my adventure on my 
trip. Mother, take good care of that gentleman there. He's 
all right. Mother put him in the big chair- Put ^Miss 
O'Rielly side of him. Put his feet in hot water and his 
head in whiskey, and may ye all eat and drink wid the 

-36- 



cawl-iit'lle-failtlia. (All <>() in rottaiie, laiigh aud cbeer as 
they iio in, and shut the door. OFiun enters U, and looks 
around stealthily; sneaks to door of c'ottai»e aud listens.) 

O'FINX — He's haek again, back ai^aiu is he. Aha I 
Little does he know that 1 am so elose upon his track. 
( Lau<ih inside cottage.) He'll laugh a different. tune soon, 
ril go to Leslie Me^^Iurrough and tell him all, and then 
I'll get the two hundred pounds reward that's offered for 
him. Think of it, two hundred pounds, all in bright golden 
guineas, and all that for that elegant carcass. (Laugh in- 
side.) (Hubs his hands chuckling, goes up C, looks off L, U.) 
There comes Mary Donoughmore, now if she only stops here 
for a while, I'll go to L^onoughmore Hall and get the papers 
she robbed me of. The papers that will hang Shamus 
O'lh'ien. I know where she keeps them. I know every 
nook and corner of the ould place. ( ( 'raAvls off L. 2.) (Mut- 
tering and shakiug fist at cottage. ()nartette inside cottage 
sings Come Back to Erin.) 

]MAKY — ( ^hiry enters from L .U. Over run comes 
down (\ and listens to song. After song is over.) Can 
Sliamus have returned? (Coes to door and knocks.) Some- 
one comes. (To S.) (Dare enters, stands at door and bows.) 
8ir Ileginald Dari', I'm surpris(ul to see you here. I thought 
you were in Dublin. How are you? 

DAIvE — Extremely well, I thank you. I returned from 
Dublin with the troops. I am staying at the Inn. I was 
going to call on you to pay my respects but I met Miss 
O'Rielly and— 

MAIvY — (Laughs.) 1 know the rest. You needn't say 
another word. Has Shamus returned? I heard so, and I 
came — that is — 

DAKE— And I know the rest. You needn't say another 
word. Allow me. I shall call Shamus out here. (Opens 
door.) Shannis, my friend, come out here. There's a lady 
here waiting. The (2ueen of Calway wants to see you. 

SHAMUS — (Inside.) Arrah, it's jokin' ye are. The 
Queen of Galway! Mother, give me my hat so that I can 
raise it to the lady. There's only one (lueeu in the world. 
(Enters, sees Mary.) And there she is. Arrah, Mary, me 
darlin', asthore machree, how are you. (Embraces her. She 

—37— 



draws away and points to Dare..) Oh, I forgot. Wlien I 
saw her I forgot voii and the whole world. Miss O'Rielly, I 
think niavbe is missing jon inside, and two is company, and — 

DARE — Three's a multitude. (Goes in but returns at 
once.) I understand you. (Goes in.) 

SHA.MrS— My angel. (Embrace.) 

DAKE — (Returns.) I beg your pardon, I forgot some- 
thing. 

SHAMUS — Well, it's not here. (Dare goes but returns 
as Shamus embraces Mary) Well, what is it you forgot this 
time? 

DARE — Onl}' to excuse myself when I went away. 

SHAMUS — Go or I'll excuse you four places at once 
(Takes up chair.) with the feet of this seat. (Dare laughs 
and exits.) 

MARY — Returned after your wild adventures, once 
more and safe, Shamus. 

SHAMUS— Safe, and with a heart as full of love for 
you as ever. 

MARY — How I wisli you were always here. What a 
life of dread I lead when you are away. Do you know that 
there is a reward of two hundred pounds offered for your 
capture? It is posted on the chapel door today. 

SHAMUS — Two hundred pounds? My price is going 
up. 'Twas only one hundred when I was here before. Maybe 
It's the fine clothes tliat did it, or they must want me a 
little more than they did. Two hundred pounds! It's a 
wonder you don't give me up. Money is quite an inducement 
to most girls now-a-days. 

MARY — (Embracing him.) Not for two hundred mil- 
lion pounds, but do you think, Shamus, you are safe from 
betrayal by anyone around here. 

SHAMUS — I have a friend on every hill top, and a 
dozen in every valley round about, and when the soldiers 
put in an appearance too close, me friends send me word, 
and that's the reason they can never lay a hand on Shamus 
OrB'i^ien. But is it not strange to think of it. Here you 
are. You who have half the men in the country at your 
feet, besides me, and your cousin, McMurrough, over at 

—38— 



the l)arrarks trying to catch me with his soldiers, and yet 
I kuow that still yoii love me, darliu"? 

MARY — Love yon? In sorrow or sunshine, in peril or 
joy, I shall always be the woman who wonld die for your 
sake. 

SHAMUS— Arrali, don't die Allaua, but live, live in 
me heart and pay no rent. 

(Song here. If song is cut others come on at end of 
scene. Dare coines on first, sees Shamus and beckons on 
Kate. She comes on and beckons on Mrs. O'Brien, who in 
turn beckons on crowd, if there is one. All tip toe dow^n 
and surround Shanius and ^lary who are C. Kate L. Dare 
L. C. Mrs. ()']?. II. (\, and crowd at back.) 

OMNES — Ha-ha-ha : We caught you I We caught you ! 

SHAMUS — Caught me in the act. Be the judge, the 
jury and the executioners. 

KATE — (Mary goes up and sits on seat L.) Yes, sir, 
you're caught at last, and the judge before whom you are 
being tiled finds you guilty without any recommendation of 
mercy. 

Sil A.Mrs — And the sentence of the court is — 

DAiiE— (Jive him life, :Miss O'Kielly. I know the law 
in this case- 

KATE — I will, and ten years more in chains with Mary 
Donoughmoic, and may the law have mercy for your soul. 

MARY— (Down to Sliamus.) Shamus, you are trans- 
ported. 

SHAMUS — I am, with joy, and glad of it. Sit dow^n, 
dear, and take the sentence aisy. (Mary sits L. with Kate. 
Shamus turns to Mrs. O'Brien, who is at table R.) And you, 
nu)ther, come out to catch me too. I do believe if I was a 
h^prahaun you'd try and catch me. Arrah, why did ye all 
want to come out at all. I hadn't seen her for months. (To 
mother.) And didn't you see me hard at work. 

MKS. O'B. — I did see you, love making, that's not hard 
\\'t)rk for you. 

SHAMUS — Troth, that comes aisy to an Irishman, be- 
ing natural, or mostly any other nuin when there's a pretty 

—39— 



girl about, but you slionUl have kept them all iuside. I'm 
astouished at a woman of your experleuee. 

MRS. O'B. — Experience! Sure, I've forgotten all about 
it. 

SHAMUS — Forgotten I The man or woman doesn't live 
that will forget the hapjiy days when he first went love-mak- 
ing- We never forget the ones we really loved or the man 
who owes us money. Do you renu^iuber what the poet says 
about love? There's nothing half so sweet in life as love's 
young drame. Oh, mama, (His arms around his mother.) 
do you remember wlien I was an innocent early dream about 
six months ould and used to k(H^p you awake all night when 
I was cutting my little guiidets? 

MRS. O'B. — Troth I do, and me meandering the floor 
up and down for hours. 

SlIAMUS — I was tliere. There was two of us, meander- 
ing, and then when 1 grew to Ite a hounelieleen about that 
size, hadui, that's the time you were fond of me and used 
to run after me. 

MRS. ()']>. — Yis, indeed. I'll never forget it. You were 
as liv(dy as ;; young jacksni'j)(% and up to all kinds of uiis- 
chief. 

SHAM US— Talk about a man chasing after a girl he 
loves, 'twas you that used to chase me when I did anything 
wrong, and sometinu^s I'd fall and you'd catch me, and you'd 
take mv n\) gently where I f(dl and would souie pretty story 
tell, and putting me across your knee — 

:MRS. O'B.— Face down. 

SHAMUS— You'd flirt wid me— 

MRS. O'B.— Y\\s, with me slipper. 

SHAMUS^ — I can feel it now. It did me good, and I 
wouldn't swap ye off, me poor cmld mother, for a regiment 
or rich relations. 

]MRS. O'B. — (AAdu) has had arms around him, squeezes 
him.) My own darliu' son. (Squeezes him hard.) 

SHAMUS^ — Mother, do ycm take me for the bagpipes? 
Squeeze a little lower up ; no I mean higher down, ha-ha. 

MRS. O'B.— Arrah, listen to his talk. (Goes up to table.) 

—40— 



SHAMUS — (Jood people, that's a great oiild woman. 
(Tlie.y all laugh.) What are ye laughing at? She is my 
mother and I'll kiss her whenever I like. 

]MA1{Y. — I leave it to yon, 8ir Reginald, are not the 
Irish a wonderful race? 

DARE — Wonderful indeed, Miss Donoughmore, a mix- 
ture of fun and fight, of love and law breaking, but a good 
mixture indeed. Isn't that so, Miss O'Rielly? 

KATE — I'm not a judge any more. I've left the bench, 
except the one I'm sitting on. 

DARE — No offense, I hope, to think you are a strange 
people? 

KATE — \Veri, we wouldn't b(^ so strange if you foreign- 
ers would come oftener to see us. 

SriAMUS— Ha-ha-ha, that's an Irish hint for you. 

DARE — And one I intend to take, believe me. Shamus, 
my friend, don't you think as we are all here this is a good 
time for a jollification? 

SIIAMUS^Certainly. .Mother, is there any jollification 
in the house left in the bottle? 

^IRS- O'B. — To be sure, in the cupboard inside, there's 
a black bottle. I'll get it, if that's what you want. (Rises." 

DARE — No, no, no! That's not what I mean, thank 
you. 

SHA^MI^S — Sure, you're welcome. We've got some that 
never saw a guager. One draught of it would make a cripple 
walk without crutches. (Birds sing.) 

DARE— Listen, what's that whistling? 

:MARY— Listen 1 "Tis the birds, that's whistling. 

KATE — Yes, the Irish canaries. (To Dare.) Do you 
know what an Irish canary is? 

DARE— No. 

KATE — Tell him. QIary laughs, and shakes her head.) 
You tell him, Shamus. 

SHAMUS — Oh, don't mind her jokes, sir. 'Tis a pig 
she manes. That's her nickname for the poor crather, dye 
mind. But if you wants a rale jollification among the boys 
and girls around here you can have that, for it's more 

—41 — 



•laAaii li^Aail^^ aoB[d u ni epui o; .onioS uij 'jo^^ok Co "'I 
s^x^ Lwj^ \im{ Sc^ssT^I) -pA am jo piuoq ;o.o .laAOU £di{} 
}nq ajojaq am Ja;ji3 naaq na;jo aA^A'aq; 'pana;qSu^ aq ;,noQ 
•aXq pool) -nnq qoauas o; ajup 4^nop A'aq:j ;nq a^uiio,) aq; 
ni 9snoq ^CjaAa qjjuas i^uiii A'aqj^ •ano|Uj\;^ .iai[jivi o; maif; 
aAiS puE sjadud aq; ;at) 'sjaq^o pa.ipniu{ u piiB j[as.iiioA' 
o; niiu Snuq p{no.\i ;i a.iaq; s.iadiul aq; pnnoj pnu a«noq 
jnoA' paqa.iuas Aaq; jj -uoa q;iAV ;ja| j sjadiul aq; aau.)a^^ pni; 
;aS pui; 'ajuj^ 'araoq .iuoa o; o\) -luaq; jo ;,iu;s aq; ;().o j 
'antquj^^ jaq;uj o; s^inuq; puu api«[{iq aq; no saaj; aq; Suouii? 
Snpniq.o s;uoa paj A*;;ajd Jiaq; aas nua i •;aA auavi? ajiui 
u a.iu sjaTppy aq,L CJ "1 J^^ o; santoo)— SilItYHS 

•ROA ;iioqi; pauuuju a;iiil) luj ;.(),o uoa [iiav 
ajeq^V 6^^P ^^oa {{iav ;uqAV 'oo ;i<mn y 'snuiiui^ — "AMVK 

q;iAV ;ixa) -acavu ajj hj a'i; u a^in [)au w'^.i -.in'ttii.nq' 
iCra 'dB\i% q;iAV a'u nj (soniy -^ 1 ^^^ ll« o; savoh )— a,n!(I 
•nai.ij^j^O *SJI\;^ 'aA'q poof) •A.iiqv'^ 'a.\"(j pooj;) — ^a;u\i 

•naa.if) un;a,Ti) o; uoa q;iA\ .\\^ o; ;aa[(io ;j[op j 
•AjLuiua qsi.ii au ;oii ur] -ai; ;,uua i ;aij— [iMyd 

•A [J ;sinu d\\ 
•Aa:j[siqAV qa;()ag puu pua.iq a[i?;s uo sjitaA A;naAv; ;a,o [i^iioA 
;q§nuo aj^noX jj -anop aq ;siiui s,iaip|0s ^\{j^ — ^aiVX 
^anop aq o; s^;i;qAV 'P.iuav:jia\i; si sjq; 'aAof a'J — ^[fJlYCI 

r;ixa i^;nusuaj) 'A'audiuoa 
A'ui ui pnnoj aajioA ji pa[iiq' a(i ii,nox "f^aAii ,iuoa joj a'u 
•noA! JO auo IxaAa 'a]j 'saojj (•s;ni?suaj ojj — ^SilKYHh' 

;s,iaipios aqx— saKKO 
•papmani jp^anoA' 'wA'oq aq; ;aiAnoo o; aauap 
-lAa JO s;uainu.)()[' ayquiiosuaj; .10; |aij;>^ip aq; ni asiioq A'.iaAa 
gniqojuas aju A'aqx 'n.iu;aj juoa jo p,iuaq aAuq ;snui A'aqx 
•A'uA^ siq; qojuur aq; 110 aju s.iaipjos aq; 'Aoq am 'siuuiny^ 
•noA i[a; am %3[ pau 'aydoad poo.o 'qsin — ^MSPIXWl 

(•>[Ouq ;b 'o spnu;s puL* niu UAvop samoo ';sai,id 
aq; 'anoyBjv: jaq;ua qsinij aq; ;u yaaj qHijj nu Jo ^ajaq paoup 
-o.i;ni QAM sapiuioadg) au-vs.!!?!) jo iiaaii^) aq; no iioisinvs 
-.lad Am A.r; nj pnu 'jyasjaq pjiq « aqii s,t5uis aqs 'A{|aiHX) 
ssTjt no noisBusjad JuoA a.ijl aAiS ni?a saijunua qsui 
aq; ncq; a.iaq pnno.iu sp^iTq aq; mo.ij ;a,o nca no.C .onLonis 

—42— 



suspect- Near here, by the ould chapel, there's a dry well, 
it's got a stoue over the top of it. I'll lift up the stone, I'll 
get into the well, aud the next time you see me I'll be out 
of sight. (Exit U. I. E.) Liglits one third down.) 

MRS. O'B. — Oh, Father Malone, hoAv sudden comes 
the change. Clouds fast follow the sunshine. Think of me 
poor boy. May Heaven protect him. 

FATHER— Amen I say to that. ( Down L. C.) 

MRS. (VB. — Your i-ivereuce, Oli, if nie poor boy should 
be caught, what a terrible fate awaits him— the gallows. He'd 
surely have to suffer that horrible death . 

FATHER — We are all born condemned to death, Mrs- 
O'Brien, and in this sometimes cruel world of sorrow who 
would wish to live forever? 

MRS. O'B.— Oh, leather, do try and persuade him to 
give up this wild liile and maybe the law would let him alone 
and hunt him no more . 

FATHER — The law is eternally vigilant and sometimes 
necessarily cruel. All men are not criminals who are con- 
victed, some who are criminals never suffer. Your son has 
committed no crime but the outspoken love of the land he 
was born in, but is proclaimed an outlaw. I will try and 
persuade him as you wish, but the facts stare us in the face 
as they are. He may be caught simietime and iiave to suffer, 
but let's hope for the best and prepare for the worst ; but 
remember, he is free yet, so cheer up, ]Mrs. O . Brien. 

MRS. O'B. — May Heaven help us all and him to change 
his ways. (Looks off L. 2.) But see, here is Miss Mary 
coming back and looks in distress. What can have hap- 
pened? 

MARY^— (Enters L. 3. weeping.) Oh, Father Malone, 
the papers, the papers ! 

FATHER^ — Be calm, my child, and tell us what's wrong. 
What papers, do you mean? 

MARY — The papers Shanius entrusted to my keeping. 
The papers his life and the lives of the othei's depended 
on- The}" have been stolen. 

FATHER— Stolen, say you child. 

MARY' — Oh, Father, I have ruined them all and per- 

—43- 



haps killed him, by my carelessness. Mrs. O'Brien, mother, 
what shall 1 do. (Falls on knees to Father.) 

FATELEK — (IJaises her.) .^ly child, don't give way to 
tears. Let nie hear ahout yonr loss, and if some one stole 
them maybe I can find (he thief. Come now, tell me all 
abont those papers. 

AlAKY — They were in a casket. I saw them but yes- 
terday l(;cked away. 1 went jnst now to get them to bring 
them to you, leather, as Hbamus told me, when I found the 
lock tiestroyed and tiu' papers gone. 

MlvS. O'B. — (Sobs.) ^le i)ooi* Ixiy, me poor boy.) 

FATIlEli — (lently now, good jieople. Tell me who do 
you susix'ct. ^^'il() knew you had them? 

MivS. <)'!>. — Your cousin ma,\b(', Ca}). .McMuvough, may 
have stolen them. 

MAKY — (O'iMnn enters L. V. E. Listens unseen.) My 
cousin I No. no! Whatever his faults, I feel sure he would 
not do anyiiiing so dishonorable. Hemember he is an army 
otJIieer and a gcntlemjin, but 1 do suspect that scoundrel 
who retuined here witli the troops lately, Shadrick O'Finn. 
That miserable wi'etcli who when lie was in sore need 1 gave 
shelter to. lie knew 1 had those imjx'rs. (O'Finn comes 
down listening.) If you meet him. Father, search his 
pockets, for lie. Fm sure, has stolen tliem. (O'Finn gets up 
on seat, reaches u]) with stolen papers in his hand and hides 
them in hollow of tree, then hides behind tree.) 

I'WTilEK — Oil, I'll search him if I iind liini, never fear, 
31iss I)onoughnu)r(\ lie can't be so far away. It cannot be that 
such a wretch can go unpunished long. I will go at once, 
and remember all is not lost that's in danger. (Exits R. B. 
E. O'Finn comes down i\ slowly) 

^lABY — (Looking after l^^ither.) A blessing seems to 
go with him, Mrs. O'Brien. 

MKS. O'B. — And a consolation always, while that 
O'l-'inn seems to bring a calamity wherever he is. 

O'FIXN — (Coming down C.) Is it talking about me ye 
are. Poor me, poor Shad O'Finn, is blamed for everything. 

.MRS. O'B.— (They both start.) You here. Ye lump of 
bad luck. Bad scan to ye. 

—44— 



O'FINN — Yis, mam, it's me poor little innocent self, 
ilrs. O'Brien, Escj-, for 1 suppose we must give you a title 
now since your sou's looking so high for a wife. Excuse me 
Miss Donoughmore, but I want to spake to you alone. Dye 
mind, alone. (Aside to her.) I want to make a bargain with 
you, private if ye plaze. 

MARY — I can have nothing to do with you privately, 
but publicly I tell you that you have stolen into my house 
like a villian and you have purloined tliose papers you tried 
to force from me once before. 

O'PINN — Is it me? Oh, Miss Mary, to accuse me of 
Stalin' anything, poor me, poor Shad O'Finn. ^le to stale 
the papers. Ye can search me if ye like. Who says I stole 
your papers, your ladyship? 

MARY — Your looks are your accusers. Do you deny 
Avhat I've said. You know I had them. They were safe yes- 
terday. You returned In^re today and now they are gone. 
You are a thief and you know it. This is gratitude for my 
kindness to you that night the mob hunted for your life. Do 
you forget that? 

O'FINN— Troth I dou't. I'll never forget it, but the 
mob won't hunt me now, I'm tliinkin', wid the soldiers at me 
back. Ha-ha, I'll be even wid them. Forget it? What did 
ye do- Shoved me in a could closet wid me clothes dripping 
wet from a short cut I took through the horse pond to get 
rid of me admirers. Y^is, ye shoved me in there without 
crature comfort of any kind; not even a noggin of spirits 
to keep me spirits up. 

MARY — I gave you protection, the protection of your 
miserable life at the risk of my own good name, and, the 
friendship of decent people, and how do you repay it — by 
theft, ungrateful theft. You are a disgrace to your race, a 
blot upon your country's history, and a living libel on one of 
the bravest races the world has ever known. (Mrs. O'B to R.) 

O'FINN — Arrah, listen to her, :Mrs. O'Brien. Sure, it's 
enough to bring tears to the eyes of a potato, the tongue lash- 
ing she's given me, poor, innocent me, that's a friend to man 
and baste. ( Father Malone enters R. U.) 

MRS. O'B. — You're a friend to neither man, woman 

—45— 



nor child, iiDd von haven't a friend in the whole county, you 
hyjocritical double-dyed leiDrecaun. 

(yPINN— (Father listens at back.) (To audience.) Do 
1 hear nie ears or am I dhraniing, and I loved that woman all 
me life, (To her.) haven't I, nmm, dear- (Tries to take her 
hand.) 

MRS. O'B. — How dare you make so l)ould as to talk to 
me like that, you onld blackjinard? (Slaps his face, then 
sees Father.) 

O'FINN — (To audience.) Begorra, that's no love tap, 
be me conscience, slie's got a fist on her like McFadden, the 
blacksmith. Wuiro, wurro, me jaw is half broke. Mrs. 
O'I'rien — mam — sure I don't know what ye mane by your 
words to me. Yer all wrong and some day ye'll find it all 
ont. Sure, Father Malone could tell ye if he was here that 
I'm as innocent as Jenny Thresles' pet pig. 

3IKS. O'B. — (To Mary.) Come away from this bundle 
of villiany, dear. Come with me into the house and don't 
fret. The good Father will recover the papers, if this fellow 
has them. Trust to Father ^lalone, dear. Come with me. 
Come- (Mrs. O'Brien and Mary exit into cottage.) 

O'FINN— (Down C, Father at back R. U.) What does 
slie mane by sayin' that Father Malone would get the papers 
from me. Begorra, fithere's one man more than another 
I'm afear(Ml of its himself. The papers are there in a hole 
in tlie tree. I must get them away to a safe place until the 
reward is big enough to deliver them to the authorities. I'll 
get them now and nuike sure of them. (Gets on bench and 
takes them from tree.) Here goes for the magpies nest. 
(Comes down.) I've had a good look at them already. This 
one with the seal is the oath. I'll put that in my inside 
pocket, (Puts it in L. pocket.) and this one is a list of the 
gang that's wid O'Brien. Now I'll go and hide them away 
safe until they're wanted, but where in the world will I 
hide tluMH before I start for Dublin? 

rWTHEK — (Who has come down during speech.) Give 
them to me. (Picture.) 

O'FINN— (Frightened.) Father Malone— 

FATHER — (Pointing to papers) What are those pa- 
pers you have there? 

—46— 



O'FINN — Sure, ,ver rivereiice, 1 found them. I don't 
ksKsw whnt tliey are. Ye see, sor, it was tliis way, I — I — 
found them awhile ago and ye see — 

FATHER^ — Yon are lying. I see it in your face. (O'Finn 
covers his face with his hat over liis eyes.) Give them to me, 
I command yon. (live me those papers. 

O'FINN— (Defiant with hat in left hand.» Father 
Malone, I'll not give yon the papers. 

FATHER. — Give them to me or beware the anger of the 
church. 

O'FINN — (Drops, hat on ground, slowly gives papers, 
retaining the one in pocket.) There father, there. 

FATHER^ (Takes papers and X. to R. 1.) Repent, 
my son, ere it is too late. ( Points up.) Remember, He will 
one day be your judge. 

O'FINN — Father, what are you going to do wid the 
papers? 

FATHER — Give them to their rightful owner May 
Heaven pardon yon your sins and change your heart. Now, 
boys, your lives are safe in my keeping. (Exit R. 1.) 

O'FINN — He's robbed me, stolen me papers, am I going 
to be soothered out of me revenge be a Father nealy mouth? 
Oh, I'd like to tear his heart out. (Strikes breast, feels paper 
in pocket.) No, aha-ha-ha. It's safe here. The oath, the 
paper that will get tlie reward and hang O'Brien. (Bugle 
call off L. U. Goes up and looks off.) Hello, 'tis the sol- 
diers. The army's out, and at tlie head of it my friend, Cap. 
McMurrough. (Men heard marching.) 

McM.— Halt! Front! Stand at ease! (Enter L. U. 
down C.) Ah, you liere, O'Finn. 

O'FINN! — Yh, Cap., and oho, yer honor, I've got some- 
thing in my breast here that you want badly, agin O'Brien 
if you could only catch him. 

McM. — (Points R.) Where is he? In the cottage there? 

O'FINN — No, but your lovely cousin. Miss Mary Don- 
oughmore, is in there, and take my word for it, he's not far 
off when she's about. 

—47— 



^[c^I. — Yon know evory road and lane about here, don't 
you? 

O'FIXN — p]YPi'y fox's track and rat hole in the county 
side, sir. 

MvM. — Well, take these soldiers I have with me and 
show tlieni where to hide themselves all about this house. 
^Ve'll trap this fellow yet. (At soldiers.) ^len follow the 
instructions of this fellow O'Finn, and hide yourselves. Scat- 
ter yourselves all around the place. (To O'Finn.) (Jo and 
show them. 

O'FINN — Fm off like a gun shot, sir. Fll scatter me- 
self all over the place, never fear. ((Joing- off, to soldiers.) 
Rigiit about there, then left about there, and follow yer 
superior officer, dye mind, .Mr. Shadrick OT^inn, if ye plaze, 
( Exit L. U.) 

Mc3I. — (Goes to door, knocks. Pause. ^lary enters from 
cottage.) Islixry Donoughmore, you are here as I was in- 
formed. I did not believe you could so far forget yourself 
as to come publicly to the house of this num O'Brien. x\l- 
low me to escort you home at once. 

MARY — ^Leslie Mc^Murrough, I came here alone. It is 
not far to my house. 1 do not require a military proces- 
sion to escort me home again. 

LESLIE — Pardon me,b ut consider the lateness of the 
hours, the disturbed state of the country, the risk a lady 
runs from the lawless men you may meet on the way. 

MARY — I am not afraid, the lawless men I may meet 
are lawless only through lov(^ of their country. I slumld 
be more afraid to meet your lawless soldiers on my way. 
You must remember that Ireland's sons, whatever other 
faults they may possess, have never yet been accused of 
molesting a lonely woman. And why, may I ask, consider- 
ing tlie lateness of the hour, are you at this lonely woman's 
house? 

LESLIE — I heard you were here and came to save you 
from the rash step you are about to take through your mad 
infatuation or so-called gratitude for this man O'Brien. 

MARY — O'Brien is a hero, fighting for his country. 

-48- 



Better be that than as you, an Irishman in name, with the 
red coat of your country's enemy upon your back. 
LEiSLIE — I am a soldier, fighting for my King. 

MARY — There is no battle ground here. This is a poor 
woman's house. A soldier's duty is to fight the battles of 
his country, but not to persecute the poor widow, the or- 
phan or the friendless. 

LESLIE^ — I know it, and when I received my commis- 
sion I never anticipated this unsoldier like business, but 
as I am here and sent to do this tiling under imperial orders 
as a soldier I must and will do my duty. 

MARY — Leslie, you are the man who told me once you 
loved me. You are the man who once swore to me that 
my slightest wish was sacred law to you. 

LESLIE — I did, Mary, and swear so again. What would 
you have me do? 

MARY — Know that you are hunting to death the man 
I love. 

LESLIE— You love that vagabond O'Brien? 

MARY — Yes, Shamus O'Brien, the man who is risking 
iris safety, liis liluTty, his life, for love of his native land. 
This gentleman, for I think him one, saved my life once and 
I am trying to save his now. Oh, Leslie, cousin, friend, 
here is the opportunity to pay my debt, and here on my knees 
I ask you to redeem your sacred word. (Kneels.) 

LESLIE — (Raises her up and turns R. Speaks aside.) 
Her lover. Curse him. And I've given my promise to her, 
what shall I do — 

MARY — Withdraw your men from about here where 
he is sure to come. Give him a chance for his life, and my 
l)rayers shall be offered for your safety forever- 

LESLIE — 'Tis impossible for the troops to be with- 
drawn now, but I promise you they shall not be ordered 
to shoot at him, and if they catch him I'll try my best to pay 
the debt you owe him . 

MARY — (Takes his hand and kisses it, and turns doAvn to 
1, after she speaks.) Bless you, Leslie, for those words; I 
bless you, my more than cousin, my friend. 

—49— 



LESLIE— ((loos lip coiiter at back.) Shamiis O'Brien, 
outlaw tbongli \(yn are, I cnvv yon the love of that woman. 
(Shot heard off U. V.) 

O'FINN — (ICnters linrriediv.) We've ^ot liim like a 
badger in a hole. We've got Shaniiis O'Brien. He ran, they 
fired at him ; he can't escape. 

LESLIE — (To O'Einn.) Return at once. Tell my men 
1 am coming. o'Hrien must be taken alive. You under- 
stand — alive. 

O'FINN — Alive, are ye out of yer senses, he'll escape, 
yer losing the chance of your life. Oh wurrastrue, the two 
hundred pounds, my reward. 

LESLIE — I command here. Do as 1 bid you. Go — 

O'l'lNN — ((ioing li, l)ut returns.) An hoAv about my 
reward? ^ly two hundred ])ounds, do I get it? 

LESLIE — Y(^s, y(>s, but go with my orders at once- 

O'FINX — ri! go but you'll lose him if you don't kill 
him. I know him, oii wurrastrue uu^ two hundred pounds. 
( Exit R. E. B.) 

LESLIE — Miss Dououghmore, you heard my orders to 
spare his life. You see I am trying to jiay your debt to him, 
but when he's caught I have an account to settle with him 
also. (Another shot. Ix^slie exits B. U.) 

MAKY — (Up O, looks off B.) Merciful heavens, they 
are firing at him still. (Knocks on door.) Mrs. O'Brien come 
out, he is taken at last. Oome out quick — 

MBS. O'BRIEN— (Enters.) What is it, Mary, darlin'? 
What are those shots I heard? ^^^lat can have happened? 

3IABY — Oh, Mrs. O'Brien, mother, I am almost mad. 
What shall we do? The soldiers have surrounded Shamus. 
They are taking him at last- 

MBS. O'B. — Taking my boy. My God, my son, my son! 
Oh where are all his friends to help him now. Oh Shamus, 
my son, where are you? — 

SHAMUS— (Runs on R. 3. E. coat off. Mother I am 
here, (Both rush to him and screams.) Hush, Mary; 
mother hush. They shot at me but I escaped their bullets. 
O'Finn discovered my hiding place. I fled. I ran through 

—50— 



the chapel over tliere aud I'm here unhaniied, saved so far 
by a miracle and the help of a frieud. 

MARY — AVho helped you to escape? 

FATHER^ (Enter R. 1.) I did with Heaven's help. 

]MARY — Sliamns your ])apers are lost, the oath and the 
list of the names. They've been stolen from me- I'll swear 
by O'Finn. 

FATHER— And I fonnd some of them (m O'Finn, but 
not the oath, that is missing. 

SHAMUS^ — ^That oath means my condemnation, but 
the boys are safe. ^ly name alone is to the oath. Father, 
darlin', if they get hould of that i)ai)er and ever get me 
inside the walls of Maryborough jail it will be good bye to 
Shamus O'Brien. There is only one slender chance left, 
this ring. I got it from Lord (}ornwallis in Dublin for stop- 
ping his runaway carriage. He's head of the army. He 
swore he would do me a good turn if I ever wanted it. Take 
this ring sir, and send it to him. Remind him of his prom- 
ise aud lie may do souiething to help me in my trouble. 

FATHER — ]\]y son, if you are caught and no one else 
will take it, I shall go myself, and an my knees I'll beg of 
him not to let you suffer death. 

MRS. O'BRIEN and :\IARY— God bless you. Father, 
for that. 

O^Finn — (Outside R. U.) He went this way. I saw him. 

SHAMUS — In with you, (|uick. Into the house (piick. 
(They all go in.) I'll go here- (Shamus climbs tree, if there 
is no tree he goes in with the others.) 

O'FINN — (Enters Iv. U. Goes to door and listens, looks 
through keyhole.) (Goes up and beckons on McMurrough.) 
He's inside. I'll swear it on a cross nine feet high. (Points 
to cottage.) 

Mc^I. — Get my men to surround the house. Tell them 
to keep out of sight till I call. 

O'FINN — Yis, yer honor, yis, and I'll get the two hun- 
dred pounds, don't I, sir? 

McM. — Yes, yes, but damn you, you vagabond, go. (Exit 
O'Finn R. U. Leslie takes sword and examines it and 

-51 — 



knocks on door.) Open this door. (Pause) I^thelvings 
name 1 command you to open this door. (Knocks ^ith 
hilt of sword. Father Malone enters.) Father Malone, 1 
little expected to find you here in company with breakers 

of the law. 

FATHER— l>utv calls me to all who wish for my con- 
solation or advic. That is a truth which even you must ad- 

mit. 

3Xe:yi — ^yell as vou i)ose for a deciple of the truth, 
answer me truthfully now, is Shamus O'Brien in that house? 
(Pause. ) You sec I am here alone. 1 wish to speak to him 
quietly, nothing more. 

FATHER--1 decline to answer a man with a lie upon 
his lips. You are not alone and I know it. 

^,l^.^,[ —(Threatens with sword.) Answer me without in- 
sult or your own liberty shall pay for it. Is Shamus O'Brien 
in there? 

FATHER — He is not in this house. 
M(.]yi —O'Fiuii told me he saw him enter there, so you 
lie and 1 know it Fve a good mind to run my sword 
through you. 

SHAMUS— (^Yith pistols at back.) Put up that sword, 
he does not lie, and if you harm him FU stretch you a corpse 
•It his feet Put that sword in its scabbard. (He does so 
ivhu-tautly.i Now 1 ovcrlu-avd you say ycm wished to spake 
to me (luietly ; well, spake away. NVhat is it? 

^^^.M._Let the priest go in doors. 1 would speak to you 
privately. 

SHA.MF8— I'^ather, dear, go in doors to oblige this gen- 
tleman. 

FATHER— (At door.j Beware, my son, of treachery. 
It is close at hand, beware, (xod save you. (Exit in cot- 

atge. 

SHAM US— Now. McMurrough, what is it? 

McAI —I am here to arrest you. I offer you one chance, 
one hope for mercv. Place yourself in my custody quietly, 
inform the authorities all you know about this rebellion, 
cease all communications with Mary Donoughmore forever, 

— 52 — 



and on my honor as a soldier and a man 1 shall use such 
influence with th^ government as may obtain your pardon 
and liberty on condition you leave Ireland forever. 

SHAMUS — (Thinks.) You say you're here alone? 

McM — Can't you see that I am — 

SI I AM I 8 — 1 see more than 1 always believe, or you 
think 1 do, but listen to me now, and don't forget what I'm 
going to say. I shall never without a struggle place myself 
in anybody's custody. I shall never turn informer against 
my own countrymen under any circumstance. I shall never 
leave Ireland till it best suits nu\ and I shall never cease 
communicate with Mary Donoughmore till my heart ceases 
to beat. 

McM. — Then 1 command you to surrender. 

SHAMUS — I'll surrender to no living man. 

McM. — Then 1 will cut you down. (Attempts to draw 
sword. Shamus struggles with him and takes sword from 
him.) (Picture, McM. down 0. Shamus L. C.) 

SHAM I'S— You'll cut me down, will you? You drew 
your sword on me but you forget I've been hunted by all 
kinds of men for the last three years for nothing. You're 
not tile first wasp 1 took the sting out of. You were going 
to cut me down, be the Heavens I've a good mind to cut you 
u}). (Threatens him with sword.) 

McM. — Would you murder an unarmed man? 

SHAMl'S— 1 ought to but I won't. Murder, that's the 
word, what you call it and that's what you were going to 
do witli me. No, I never committed murder in me life, or 
any other crijue, and I'm not going to begin with you and 
you know the reason why- (Points to cottage.) (Puts sword 
and gun inside cottage door.) Now, .McMurorugh, we're both 
unarmed. Let's meet as man to man. (They s(iuare up to 
figlit.) 

O'FINN — (Comes on at back li.) Ah, there he is, hould 
him. Cap. till I get the soldiers. (Off K.) 

SHAMUS — You see you lied, to both Father Malone 
and me. You're not alone. I can't face a crowd of ye, but 
look out if I get away this time and ever meet you really 

—53— 



alone, McMurough. May the Lord take care of you. (Exit 
L. 1.) 

McM.— He must not escape. Where the devil are all 
my men. (Rushes off L. 3. E) 

(VFINN— (Kushes on with gun from R. V. Speaks off 
to soldiers R.) He's gone. There he runs. Soldiers, lie close 
a minute. He can't run far that way, there's a posse of my 
men down there. O'Brien, you're running into a trap. (Shot 
heard off L. U.) Aha, they've seen him. He stops; that turns 
him back. He's coming this way. Lie close, men. He's 
coming this way; now's my chance to make double sure 
of the reward. 0'15rien vou're a dead man. (Leyels gun, 
at L- r. on knee, takes aim. Mary enters from cottage with 
sword. Rushes up to O'Finn with sword pointed at him.) 

MARY— Fire that gun and you're a dead man. (Pic- 
ture. (Drop that gun, .Ir..]) it 1 say. (O'Finn drops gun 
and rises. Shamus rushes on L. U. Orabs O'Finn, punches 
him and throws him down I{. L Soldiers rush on at al 
entrances and cover Shan.us with guns. Mary screams and 
rushes to Shamus C. Mrs. O'Brien and Father enter from 
cottage. -McMurrough enters L. I.) 

]^je'M.— Don't fire upon hiui lie must be taken alive. 
SHAMUS— Fire if you want to. I defy you all. 

(yurtain. 

SHAMUS O'BRIEN. ACT FOURTH. 
SCENE 1. 

(This scene can be played as a court martial trial with 
Col Claverv as judge or the regular court scene. Court room 
scene has judge's bench on raised platform about three feet 
hioh R -^ Desk and high backed chair on platform. Table 
wi'th two chairs in front of desk. Bench for council. Wit- 
ness box R. of platform. Chair L. C. Rail L. for spectators- 
Discovered, prisoner stands C. Judge with wig and gown on 
platform. Larry as a corporal. Soldier L. Sir Reginald 
Dare with wig and gown, also Leslie :\IcMurrough at table. 
Kate O'Rielly on chair L. C. Mob behind rails. Guard on 

—54— 



each side of Sliamiis C. Dare is talking to Kate as curtain 
rises. O'Finn in witness box.) 

LESLIE—Tlie case for the crown is plain. This man 
O^JJrien was suspected of being- the leader of a treasonable 
society. A reward was offered for him. I as commander of 
a detachment of troops captured him- Shadrick O'Finn, the 
principal witness against the accused, is present. The oath 
of this treasonable society is in O'Finn's possession. That 
document was found — 

DARE— (At table, rising.) That paper was not found 
but stolen. Htolen by that thief there. (Points to O'Finn.) 
Stolen is the correct term. 

LESLIE— (With paper in hand.) We will not discuss 
how it was procured. O'Finn has it, that is sufficient. I 
have also here O'Fiun's written statement of what he knows 
(•<mcerning O'Brien and his followers, and attested before 
a magistrate. 

O'FINN- Yis, sir, I can swear to everything. 

BHAMUS^Yes, to anything. He will swear to any- 
thing that pays him best. 

O'FINN — I know emmgh to hang yon. 
SIIA.MrS — If I knew as much roguery as yon do, Fd 
go out and hang myself. 

COL. OR JUDGE— Silence! Silence! 

LESLIE— Here is O'Finn'.s written statement. (With 
paper.) 

DARE— Let me see that please- (Takes paper.) 
LESLIE — That dcjcument was duly sworn to before a 
magistrate. O'Finn therein declares that he knows O'Brien's 
writing and that O'lirien's name is at the bottom of the 
oath that mend)ers of the secret order swear by. I would 
Jilso submit, my lord, that the prisoner has already been 
outlawed, having been declared guilty of high treason, which 
crime is punishable with death. (Sits.) 

DARE — (Goes to O'Finn with jjaper.) Is this vour 
writing, on your oath? 

O'FINN — (Looks at it upside down.) Yis, yer honor. 
DARE— Can you read? 

—55— 



O'FINN— No, sor. 

DARE^ — Can jou write? 

O'FINN— Sor— 

DARE— Do you write? 

SHAMUS— He never did right. 

DARE— ( Smiles at Sliamus. To O'Finn.) Are you able 
to write? 

O'FINN- Able enough if I— but— I— 

DARE — ^And you wrote this? 

O'FINN— No, sor. 

DARE — You swore just now this was your writing. 

O'FINN— Yis, sor— did I— 

DARE — And you now swear you did not write this? 

O'FINN-Yis, sor — no, sor — that is — I'm not sure. Sure 
I can't write. I never learned how. 

DARE — (Returns to table and turns to judge.) This 
veracious witness swears this is his writing, also that he 
cannot write. This man evidently does not know how to 
speak the truth. 

LESLIE — Nonsense, the witness means that that is his 
statement, no matter who wrote it. 

DARE — We do not go by what men mean. We go by 
what they do or swear to, and if you please Cap- I'll find 
out what this fellow means without interference. (To 
O'Finn.) What is your business? 

Kx\TE^ — (Starts up.) A rogue, a vagabond, a thief and 
an informer. 

JUDGE — Silence. You must not interrupt. 

KATE — Well, I know him for years and I'm not afraid 
to speak the truth. 

JUDGE — But I insist on silence. 

SHAMUS — Remember where you are. Miss O'Rielly. 
You're at a trial. You mustn't spake the truth here. They 
never do. 

DARE — If you please, my lord, the lady evidently 
knows the witness for the crown by reputation. 

KATE — Reputation! He never had any. He stole a 

-56— 



horse from my father six years ago and got twelve months 
in jail for doing it, 

O'FINN— I didn't. 

KATE— You did. 

O'FINN— I didn't. 

JUDGE — Silence. Really this trial cannot go on like 
this . 

LAIIRY— Bileuce— 

DAKE^ — Silence, if you please, Miss O'Rielly. (To 
O'Finu.) Have you ever been convicted of the crime of 
theft? 

SHAMUS — ^Dou't you hear, tiie lady says he was con- 
victed of the crime of stealing a horse six mouths ago and 
got tAvelve years for doiug it- 

O'FINN— I didn't stale a horse. 

SHAMUS— What was it then? A mare? 

O'FINN — Sure a horse is not a uiare. 

SHAMUS^ — No but a mare's a horse. Was it a mare? 

O'FINN — Yis, it was a mare, and she followed me home. 
I didn't stale her. 

SHAMUS — Well, the mare must have lost her head and 
was hard up for company when she follow^ed you. 

O'FINN— I must have looked like the fellow that owned 
her. Do I look as if I'd stale the poor crather of a mare? 

SHAMUS — Yer honor, he'd stale the letters off his 
mother's tombstone. 

LESILE — I protest against this. O'Fiun is a crown 
Avitness and ought to have some protection. 

SHAMUS— Sure, you could buy bett(r v>itue,sses than 
that for a crown a dozen. 

O'FINN— Yis, poor me. Sure, I'm din the best I can 
for the government what pays me. (Crying.) Me lord, I'm 
a loyal subject, I am. 

JUDGE— The council for the defense will please keep 
to the examinatiou of the witness on the subject before the 
court. Show me all the papers. 

SHAMUS— (Gets papers from O'Fiun.) (Dare hands 

—57— 



up papers to judge.) I wish 1 was as wise as that ould fellow 
Lries to look. 

LESLIE — 1 have Jierc the oath that members of this 
order swear l)y. O'Brien's uame as leader is at the bottom 
of the document. (Gives paper to judge) Do you want the 
witness further? 

DARE — No, sir. I need not waste time on such a vaga- 
bond. 

LESLIE — O'Finn, you niav go, but reniain within call. 

O'FIXN — Yis, sor. I'll go. (Sneaks C. Shanuis starts 
f(,'r him but is checked by soldiers. O'Fiun goes off cautious- 
ly, signing to Shamus signifying hanging.) 

SHAM US — Ould nick, the divil is outside waiting to 
shake hands with that spalpeen. 

LKSLli] — },iy lord, the veracity of my last witness was 
doubted. 1 will now call upon another to prove that the 
prisoner is at the head of tliis society. Bring Mrs. O'Brien 
iu'i'p. ( Larry exits L. 3. E.) 

DARE^ — My lord. I protest. I appeal to your human- 
ity. Shall gt^ntlcmen be barborous enough to jdace a mother 
as witness against her own son? 

LESLIE— But I insist 

DARE — Why, all laws of man, of nature and of Heaven 
cry out shame against such evidence. 

KATE — ^Shame, shame. In the name of every woman 
in the world I say it's a big, black shame. (Enter Larry 
with Mrs- O'Brien crnng.) 

JUDGE — Silence! Soldiers enforce silence at once. 

LARRY— Silence, please. Miss O'Rielly. 

JUDGE — I do not approve of this woman being forced 
to give evidence against her own son. so the witness is ob- 
jected to. 

SHAMUS — Dry your eyes, mother, the judge says you 
needn't say a word against me. 

JUDGE — (Examining papers through spectacles.) 
Shamus O'Brien, is this your name attached to this highly 
treasonable oath? 

SHAMUS — Do you think me eyes are telescopes to be 

-58- 



looking around corners, yer honor. Show me the paper and 
if I put my name to it I'll tell you the truth. (Judge hands 
paper to Dare who reads it to Shamus.) 

LESLIE— Well, tell the truth now. Is that a plot 
against the laws that govern your country? 

SHAMUS — This is a protest against depriving men of 
the rights of their liberty and I'm proud to say I put my 
name to it. 

JUDGE — Having admitted you are guilty of high trea- 
son against the realm, Shamus O'Brien, have you anything 
to say why the sentence of death should not be passed on 
you? 

SHAMUS— 

My lord, you ask me if in me lifetime 

1 thought any treason or did any crime, 

That should bring to me cheek as I stand alone here. 

The hot blush of shame, or the coldness of fear. 

Though I stood by me grave to receive me death blow 

Before God and the world I could answer you, no. 

But if you should ask me as I think it like, 

If in the rebellion I carried a pike 

And fought for ould Ireland from the first to the close. 

And shed the best blood of her bitterest foes, 

I answer you YES, and I tell you again. 

Though I stand here to perish, 'tis me glory that then 

In her cause I was willing these veins should run dry, 

And now for her sake, I am ready to die. 

JUDGE — (Rist^. All rise. He puts on b\jck cap.) ^Ey 
duty compels me to pass sentence on you. 

MRS. O'BRIEN— (Comes C.) 

Oh judge, darlin', don't, don't say the word^ 

The creature is young, have mercy, me lord. 

He was foolish, he didn't know what he was doing. 

You don't know him, me lord, don't give him to ruin, 

He's the kindliest creature, the tenderest hearted; 

Don't part us forever; we that's so long parted. 

Judge mavourneen, forgive him, forgive him, me lord. 

And God will forgive you. Oh, don't say the word- 

(She falls on Shamus' neck sobbing.) 

—59— 



JUDCiE — llemove that woman from the prisoner. 
,( Larry does so.) Shamus O'Brien, you shall be taken hence 
to the prison whence yon came, and from there to the usual 
place of execution, and this night at the hour of eight o'clock 
you shall be hanged by the neck until you are dead, and 
may the Lord have mercy on your soul, (Mrs, ()'1>. screams 
and faints 0. Close in.) (Or this can be made a funny fin- 
ish if so desired by playing in the following manner: After 
the judge pronounces sentence exits l\. Shamus is led oft" 
by guard, followed by Mrs. O'Brien weeping. O'Finn sneaks 
on during st^ntence. The crowd get hold of him and kick 
and pull him about. Kate stands up on ciiair shouting. 
Give it to him!) 

8CENE 2, 
(Front scene, prison in 1.) 

LESLIE— (Enters li. 1, to begin,) Shamus O'Brien 
dies at eight o'cktck. lie has little more than one hour to 
live. Everything is fair in love and war and I did only my 
duty. As for my fair cousin Mary, she is saved from a 
degrading love affair, and she will one day thank me for it 
and when time has liealed the wound that the death of 
O'Brien will cause, perhaps she will listen to me and accept 
the hand and fortune of my humble self, (O'Finn enters 
K. 1. in rage, dirty, etc.) Is that you, O'Finn? 

O'FINN — It's what's left of me, sor. Oh, wurrostrue 
aclioiiic! Oh, soi'. Fill luulvathcicsl ! Fiii kilt entirely! The 
mob took me life. I'll lave the country when I get the re- 
ward and never trouble yez agin, ye pack of blackguards. 
(Shakes fist off K.) Oho, me poor insides is all fiddle- 
strings. 

LESiLIE — ^^Ilere's the money I promised you. That's 
salve for your aches. 

O'FINN— Oh, 'tis beautiful job entirely. (Takes 
money.) Ob, me poor back. 

LESLIE^ — Listen! I understand that Mary Donough- 
niore t as gone to head(juarters in Dublin to Lord Corn- 
wallis to try and secure a pardon for O'Brien. I have re- 
ceived information she is coming back. 

— 6o— 



O'FINN — May tlie divil fly away wid the \yliole fra- 
ternity. Oh, rae back I She hasn't returned yet but she 
may at any time . Women and law are mif^hty uncertain. 
Arrah, if she was to come back wid a pardon, murther alive, 
they'd kill me sure. WTiat time is it? I'm getting onaisy. 
I may lose the reward. Can't you put the jail clock ahead 
half an hour? Oh. me poor back bone is coming through 
me stomach. 

LESLIE^ — Lesten '. I haye had O'Brien ordered here. 
I shall place a guard oyer him fully armed. You can 
come here and taunt him. Should he offer you any yiolence 
or strike you, I ^\ill instruct the guard to shoot him on the 
spot. 

O'FINN — That's the way to make sure of him. Be- 
gorra, I'll make him strike me, that will be aisy. Lave 
it to me sor, lave it to me, I'll do it. Oh, me neck ! But, 
sor, he may murther altogether what's left of me, sor, 

LESLIE- -Go tell the sergeant to send me a soldier 
fully armed to protect you, you understand. 

O'FINN— Yes, sor, I does. (Going R. 1.) If there's 
protection for roguery that fellow will be a gineral yet. 
(Exit R. 1.) 

LESLIE — This is not the honorable conduct of a gen- 
tleman, I know, but I love her better than life or honor, and 
— ah, here he comes, the soldier. (Enter Larry as soldier.) 
Ah. listen to mc my man. Sliamus O'Brien has been or- 
dered here. I fear an attempt at his rescue. You shall 
keep strick watch over him here. If he attempts violence 
shoot him down at once. (Larry salutes.) Is your gun 
loaded with powder ball. Let me see. (Examines gun.) 
That is all right, remain here 'til he comes. (Exit R. 1.) 

LARRY — Leslie McMurrough, you're no good, and the 
devil a shoot I'll shoot him if I know meself. Ah, here 
comes someone. (Straightens up like soldier.) (Enter Les- 
lie R. 1. and X. to L, followed by Shamus.) 

LESLIE — This is your man. Remember your orders 
and do your duty. (Exit L. 1.) (Larry salutes and walks 
from L. to R. as if on guard. Shamus shifts from C. Larry 
keeps walking 'til cue.) 

—6 1— 



SUAMrS — T wonder why thoy broiiolit me here. 'Twas 
bad eiioniJ^h where 1 was but this is worse. This is the 
worst jail I was ever in. Oh, these jails, these jails, they 
were never built for comfort. If ye want to sit down you 
have to stand up, but there's every kind of accommodation 
in the way of soldiers and jailers about, seeing that you 
bm't eat the stones out of the wall and hurt your teeth 
like. T.ook at him witli the full chest. (Larry stands.) 
He'll be havinir another spasm in a minute and be taking 
a walk for a rest, like a tailor. (Larry walks as before.) 
I'm sorry I'm on yer bate. (Shamus moves again. Larry 
•itope where lie is again.) I'll go back agin to where I was, 
and if he comes near me agin I'll mulvather him. Halt! 
ProutI (rround arms I. (Larry takes no notice.) Do as 
ve like. Sure, he's a recruit. Sure, the palms of your 
feet must be tired walking on the could flags all day. You 
must be tired. If I had a stool handy I'd offer you a sate. 

LAKKV — Sham us O'liricn, you don't know me, I'm sorry 
to say. 

SHAM US— Troth. I don't, I'm glad to say. Who might 
you be? 

LAIvKV — I used to be footman lo Miss Dououghmore. 

SHAM US — And now you're footman to the King. 
Arrah, now I think I remember your beautiful features, and 
how did you come to turn soldier man? 

LAKKV — Six mouths ago I "listed. I was tould to do 
so be the mistr(\ss. McMurrough wanted servants and she 
said that some day I might be a))le to do you a good turn 
if I was a sojer, so here I am, and if I lose me head for it 
It I'll do all I can to set you free, as sure as my name is 
Lai'ry Mahoney. 

SHAM US — Sure, you're a green hero in a red jacket. 
Shaks hands and tell me what's the news outside. 

LARRY — Miss Donoughmore has gone away. No one 
knows where. She disappeared after you wor tuk. She sent 
me a message and tould me to get near you and cheer you 
up witli the good word. Now listen hither a minute. They 
have a plot agin you here to murther you before your time, 
so no matter who comes here nor what is said to you, don't 
raise yer hand to auvone. It manes murther. 

—62— 



SHAMUS — Trotii, I won't; nor mv foot aither. But 
why do jou spake like that? 

LARRY — Because McMurrough has given orders to 
meself and a guard outside to shoot you if you strike any- 
one here; of course they'll swear you were trying to break 
jail after they murther ye. 

SHAMFS — To shoot iiu'I He's going to hang me after 
a while. Does he want to shoot me first. That's what I 
:all double barreled assa.ssination. And so you'd shoot me, 
eh? 

LARRY — ((Grasps his hand.) The divil a shoot. 

SHAMUS — I knew you were a man. WTiat's that? 
(Moan and rattle of chains heard R. 1.) 

LARRY — Someone is coming. Aisy now, don't know 
me at all. Begorra if they found me schamin they'd hang 
me higher than Gilderoy's kite. (Moan and chains heard 
again.) 'Tis a woman's voice. 

SHAMUS — Maybe 'tis me poor ould motlier. Perhaps 
she has news of Mary, my promised wife. Can you let her 
in to see me. Sure, he didn't tell you not to let her in did 
he? Will you bring her here, for my sake, Mahoney? 

LARRY — I will if thev shoot me where 1 stand. (Exit 
R. L) 

SHAMUS — If this is me poor ould mother come to see 
me I'll try and cheer he up a bit. WTiat's the use in fretting. 
We all have to die once, and if one dies for his country or 
a nob-le cause "tis better than wearing out a miserable life 
and never being anybody at all. Ah, me mother — 

MRS. O'B. — (Enters weeping.) My son, my son. (Em- 
brace.) 

SHAMUS — There, mother, don't fret. Sure, the best 
in the world have to part sometime and it's mostly those 
who love the foiicU^^t that have to part the soonest after all. 

MRS. O'B. — Shamus dear, why did you make that con- 
fession in the court? 

, SHAMUS — I would not go back on me name mother. 
You know I oould not do that. Mother, don't blame me, 
I've been brought here by thfit schemer, that scoundrel, 
Leslie McMurrough and his jackall O'Finn, but when I'm 

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done away with be sure the curse of a murdered man will 
light on them, tlie white livered dogs I 

MKS. O'B. — Don't curse tlieni, dear. Leave them to 
Heaven. Hush me boy, remember you will soon be before 
the great Judge of all, and we're taught that we must for- 
give our enemies if we hope for salvation, my son. 

SHAMUS— Well, you're right mother, I'll forgive them. 
If 'twill take a sigh from out your heart or a tear from out 
yonr eye FIl forgive them all, even as I hope to be for- 
given. 1 swear to you I'll never raise my hand to mortal 
juan again. 

There, there, mother darliu', don't break your lieart. 

For sooner or later the dearest must part, 

And God knows 'tis better than wandering in fear 

On the bleak, trackless mountain, among the wild deer; 

To lie in the grave where the head, heart and breast 

From thouglit. labor and sorrow forever shall r(^st. 

(Enter McM. F. 1. and Larry enters \l. 1.) 

LESLIE — What is this woman doing here? 

MlvS. O'B. — (L. to Leslie.) Oh, sir, let me speak to my 

boy. Let me comfort him. We are going to part forever. I 

am his mother, sir. 

LESLIE— ( I'ushes her away.) Take your hands off me 
woman, bid your vagabond son good bye and be quick about 
it , then leave this way. Follow me at once. (Exit L. 1. 
Larry warns Shamus as he is about to strike I^slie. He 
holds his arm.) 

MRS. O'B.— Oh my son, my son! 

SHAMFS — Oh (xod. because that scousilrel has me in 
liis grasp he insults me jioor ould mother. Leslie McMur- 
rough, you never were a man at all. If ye were alone and 
saw me on the hillside you wouldn't come within a mile of 
nu\ Leave me, darlin'. I wouldn't let them see a tear in 
nu= ( ye f(U' all tlie wealtli of tiie world. Leave me, and 
when I'm gone may Ood look down and bless and guard you 
forever and forever. 

MRS. O'B. — Oh my son, my son ! My heart is broken 
at last. 

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S:HAMUS—( Leads her to L. 1.) Good bye, mother, for- 
ever. (She exit.s. Sliainiis sinks on knee weeping. O'Finn 
enters R. 1.) 

LAKRY— (To O'Finn.) What brought voii here? 

O'FINN — An order from your superior, your betters, 
you funny faced lobster. (ShoAvs paper.) 

T.AKKY — Funny faced is it? If I had a face like you 
I'd walk backwards. I've often seen better features than 
yours in a cage of ring tailed monkeys. Show me that paper. 

O'FINN — Sure, it's not the paper but the writin' what's 
on it. If yez are a fine scholard like meself, rade that. (Gives 
paper.) 

LAKRY — Sure, you got it upside down. (Reads.) 
That's all right. (Thro^A•s it on ground.) 

O'F'INN — Pick up that paper agin. 

LARRY— I won't do it. 

O'FINN— (Mad.) Pick up that paper. 

LARRY— I won't <lo it. 

O'FINN — Pick it u}) I say to ye, ye red coated bog 
trotter. 

LARRY — I won't I say to ye, ye wisp of bad luck. 

O'FINN— Pick it or I'll— (Threatens him.) 

LARRY— (Points bayonet at him.) Ye will what? 

O'FINN— Well— I'll pick it up meself. (Does so.) Now 
to make him strike me. (Goes to Shamus who pays no 
attention to him.) At last we have ye, sure me fine marauder. 
The wooden suit is waitiu' to carry out your carcass, and 
wlien you are gone your ould mother will be all alone in 
the world. Y^our mother who years ago scorned me and 
married your father, Jim O'Brien, who wrecked my life and 
made me what I am, but I'm having me revenge now for it all. 

SHAMUS — (Not heeding him.) When a man says good 
bye to his mother he seen the last of his best friend on earth. 
Farewell, true heart, I'll never see you more. (Turns and 
sees O'Finn. What, you here! Oh, villian that you are. 

O'FINN— Outlaw, convicted felon, I've come to say 
good bye. You'll meet the divil shortly and you'll find your 
dead father down there. Give him the compliments of his 

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ould rival, Hluuirirk o'l'iiin, who loved yonr mother once, 
but now hates both her and you. 

SHA.MUS — (Starts for him. Larry holds up warning 
iiand.1 Not five minutes ago I promised nie poor ould 
mother IM never raise me hand to mortal man again, and 
forgivi^ even you. Don't make me break me promise to her, 
for if you do I'll crush yon. (Larry motions again.) 

O'FINN — Why the devil don't you strike me. (Aloud.) 
I'll try again. That's I'iglit, always keep your word man. 
I do. 1 promised your mother twenty years ago she'd live 
to regret the day sh<^ ever heard of tlie O'Briens, and I'd 
live to see il. and touu>rrow when you're under the green 
sod I'll remind hvv of me warning in a way that will bring 
tears of blood from Iht heart. 

SHAMI'S — Tomorrow me poor mother may be at this 
man's nierey. There must be a Providence that looks down 
and guards the widow and the orphan, and has His eye 
constantly fixed upon the guilty. My time has almost come 
but yours may not be far away, for the wicked do not last 
forever after all, and when you're lying on your death bed 
and the hereafter staring in the face, 'tis then T know you'll 
wish you had died in your cradle, you vagabond. (To Larry.) 
Can't you kick out this thing*.' 

O'FINN— He can't, I have a pass. IJe daren't uo it. 

LARRY — ^(Slaps hm ou back.) (let out of here or I'll 
murdher you meself. (Wlu^els him around R.) 

O'FINN — Who are you layin' a hand on, }h? Who are 
you talkin' to, you red coated pauper. Do you know^ I'm a 
witness for the crown. I'll have you court martialed, hung 
up like O'Brien there. I'll go and report you to the com- 
mandijig otticer. Cap. Leslie McMurrough. I'll let you know 
who I am, you big headed omadaun. 

LARRY — (Roints bayonet at him.i (Jet out of here 
Judas, get out. (Shoves him off at point of bayonet.) 

SHAMFS — 'Tis such men as he that have placed poor 
ould Ireland where she is today. (Bell tolls.) 

LESLIE — (Enters L.) O'Brien, your time has come. 
(To Larry.) Follow me with your prisoner. (Exit L.) 

LARRY — He lies, 'tis a half hour of eight o'clock yet. 

—66— 



SHAM us — Maybe he tliinks I'm in a liurry. I've got 
a little time on hand. Never ^lind, I'll be the sooner out of 
his company. Tell your mistress T died like a man. (Exit 
L. 1. followed by Larry.) 

Cliange of Scene. 

SOE,NE 2. 

(Prison L. 3. door in prison. Scaffold O. at back on 
platform 3 ft high, (xallows, beam across with rope hang- 
ing. Kope lo pull from L. side. Loop in rope. Landscape 
backing witli wall across stage. )*ell tolling, lights down. 
Music.) 

O'FINN — (Discovered standing at foot of Scaffold.) 
Aha, they're coming. Me revenge is about to be conssumated. 
The death knell of the O'Rriens is ringing in me ears. I'll 
just stand aside and see them choke the life out of him. 
.My corses are falling on him now. Ha-ha-ha! They'll stran- 
gle the life out of him forever. Dead! Dead! Dead! Ha-ha- 
lia. (Exit K. 3.) (Enter Leslie from prison with soldierSj 
wlio iiiarcli down to L. L, facing I\.) 

l.i.SLlE— Left turn! Halt! Front! Drtss back. I have 
a cordon of soldiers all around this place so all is safe. 
Here they come. (Enter Father Malone, slowly, with book 
in liauds, followed by Shamus with hands tied behind him 
and guarded by two soldiers, one of whom is Larry.) 

SHAM rS— (To Leslie.) Before I lave the world for- 
ever won't you let me spake to my priest, good Father Ma- 
lone, something only that concerns me soul and nothing 
more. 

LESLIE— Well, be (juick about it. Men fall back. (The 
two soldiers fall back. Larry down L. 1.) 

SHAMUS— (Shamus X. to Father.) \Vhen a man is 
standing on the verge of the grave the world looks ten times 
more beautiful than it ever did before. 'Tis not the death 
I fear, 'tis the way I have to die. 

FATHEK — 'Tis hard my son, very hard. 

SHAMUS— (Whispers.) What did you do with the 
ring I gave you to send to the man in Dublin? 

~67- 



FATHER — 1 gave it to Mary Dououghmure. She took 
it to Dtiblin to try and get your pardon. 

SHAMUS — When she comes back all will be over and 
me poor mother left unprotected in the world. 

FATHER — Unprotected, my son! She will never want 
a friend as long as I live and as for Mary Donoughmore, I 
will place her in tiie care of the good sisters who will guard 
her against all evil. 

SHAMl^S — .Imen I say to that. Death, let it come. It 
may not be so hard after all. See father there are no 
soldiers around me here. I'm outside the jail and if me 
hands were only free I'd make a run for it. 

FATHER — There's soldiers all aroun^l here on guard, 
you can't escape. 

SHAMUS — They'd slioot me down, ami tliat's better 
than being strung like a ilog. Oh, if me liands were free. 
Father, could you take l-.e string from off me hands? 

FATHER — Oh my sou, my son, don't ask me. 

SHAMFS — To be hanged will bring disgrace upon me 
name, a blot upon tlie life of Mary Donoughmore, perhaps 
death to me poor ould mother. Think of it, sor. for her sake, 
for God's sake take these cruel strings from off me hands. 
(Shamus is kneeling right of Father during this scene.) 

FATHER — I'll do it if they kill me. (Unties his hands. 
Shamus runs up to R. U. and is intercepted by O'Finn. They 
struggle. Shamus tlirows him around so O'Finn is between 
him and the soldiers. All very quick.) 

LESLIE — Fire on the prisoner, he is escaping. They 
fire and shoot O'Finn who staggers and falls near scaffold 
R. Shamus escapes R. V.^ Fools, you have killed the wrong 
man. 

LARRY — iDown L. 1. lo audience.! Fm damned gla-.l 
of it. (Dances.) 

LESLIE — Fire on the priest, he helptnl the prisoner to 
escape. (Soldiers raise guns. Priest stands about R. 2, fac- 
ing soldiers, holds out arms.) 

SHAMUS — (Outside.) Hould on. Stop, I'm coming 
back. (Comes on C.) I turned and saw me enemy had 
fallen. I've come baek to give meself up. I was mad to 

— 6S— 



run away. 1 surreuder. Fire on me, but uot on me priest, 
good Father Malone. 

LESLIE— (Going to him L. R. C.) Now, Shamus O'Brien 
your doom is sealed. 

SHAMl^S — I know it, McMiirroiigh, and I am here to 
meet it like a man. 

By the hopes of the good, and the cause of the brave, 

When Fm lying moldering in the cold grave, 

My enemies never shall have it boast 

My scorn for their vengence one minute was lost. 

My bosom may bleed, but my cheek shall be dry, 

For undaunted I've lived and undaunted I'll die. 

LEi^lLIE— To the gallows with him Jailors. (Larry and 
soldier take Shamus to platform and adjust rope around 
his neck.) 

DARE— (Enters hurriedly R. U.) Stop, Leslie McMur- 
rough, that man \\ as not to be hanged 'til eight o'clock. I 
forbid the execution *til then. It wants ten minutes of that 
time now. 

LESLIE — What right have you to interfere? 

DARE — The right of law demands. (Cheers outside 
and sounds of horse galloping in the distance growing louder 
and louder.) Hello," what's that? (Looks off R. U.) A 
woman on horse back waving a white flag. Yes, 'tis Mary 
Donoughmore. Sound of horse stops.) (Mary rides on if 
possible, carrying white flag and papers with large red seal. 
Kate and Mrs. O'Brien enter from R. when Mary enters.) 

LESLIE— Men do your duty. 

MARY— (Outside.) Hold! Hold! (Enters R. U.) 
Stop, don't hang that man. Here is his pardon. (Gives par- 
don to Dare. Lights full up.) 

DARE — (Looks at pardon and gives it to McMurrough.) 
A pardon and signed by Cornwallis, my cousin, Viceroy of 
Ireland. O'Brien you are free. 

SHAMUS— Free ! The bright sky, the beautiful earth 
are mine once more. Oclio McMurough, to the divil with 
your necktie. (Throws rope from neck and comes dowTi 

—69— 



^ 

\ 



from scaffold and embraces Mary. Bell strikes eight 
o'clock.) McMurroiigh, your watch was fast. 

LESLIE — It may be faster another time. (Exit L. 1. He 
tlirows pardon on stage.) 

SHAMUSi— ril look after that. Mother, darlin', I'm 
free. (Picks up pardon.) 

LAKIJY — ^(On scaffold, gives gun to soldier and takes 
off whiskers.) Hurro! Shamus is free! I'll hang up the 
ould whiskers. (Does so. Jumps down, comes R, and 
shakes hands with Shamus.) k 

SIIA^IUS — And am I entire-y free, your honor? 

DAKE — Free but recjuested to leave Ireland, so rea 
your pardon. 

SHAMUS — >yot a hard punishment. Mary will you 
go with me across the sea? 

MARY— I will. 

HHAMUtS — M<*ther, will you come with me across the 
oceau? 

MKS. O'H.— Yes, my son. 

DAKE — "Will you be my better half and come with me, 
Miss O'lvielly, for better or for worse? 

KATE — I will, ril bet ten thousand monkeys, for much 
better and no worse. 

FATHER— And I'll marry you all for nothing. 

SHAMUS — We'll turn the funeral into a wedding. My 
fate is here, jNIary; and here (Rrings Mary and Mrs. O'Brien 
down C.) be me ould mother's side and you couldn't find 
a happier man this night than Shamus O'Brien — 

OMNES— The bould boy of Glengall. 

( Curtain) 

(Shamus in C, Mary L., Mrs. O'Brien R., Larry and 
priest K., Dare and Kate L., soldiers L.) 



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